Finding healing through giving

Everything changed for Kyle S. after a devastating night that left him with deep emotional scars.

“I hit a motorcyclist. I had rear-ended him. My mind was everywhere,” Kyle said.

He felt adrift, grappling with the weight of the moment and unsure how to process what had just happened. Feeling restless and anxious and following the advice he had been given, Kyle reluctantly made his way home and he found himself using alcohol to cope.

“So that’s how I dealt with it from that day forward. As far as getting through that accident and trauma, it was drinking every day,” Kyle said.

He continued to isolate himself by pushing his family away. He underwent his first round of treatment but later acknowledged that he was still in denial about his addiction.

Through it all, his father remained a source of support and encouragement.

Today, Kyle feels incredibly grateful as he reflects on his father’s persistence. After a particularly challenging evening, Kyle’s father arrived and spoke to him, reminding Kyle that he was still there for him.

“I got up, hugged him, and that was the second time I decided to go back to rehab,” Kyle said.

He understands that, without his father’s timely intervention during one of the loneliest moments of his life, he may never have had the profound realization that ultimately led him to break free from alcohol and substances.

Kyle set aside his ego and opened his heart and mind to the guidance of the counselors he worked with at Rosecrance. Instead of viewing his second go in treatment as a failure to be embarrassed by, he chose to see it as a valuable lesson. This shift in perspective energized him, and he threw himself into his recovery journey with renewed determination. Embracing the insights he gained, he felt a sense of hope as he took his first steps toward healing.

Kyle’s remarkable recovery journey inspired him to create an annual fundraising event called Birdies for Ben. This gathering honors the memory of his dear friend, who tragically struggled with substance use and died as a result of his addiction.

Now in its third year, Birdies for Ben has blossomed into a growing celebration of hope. This year, Kyle generously donated the over $10,000 raised from the event to Rosecrance. Through every swing of the golf club and every shared story, this event fosters a spirit of understanding and compassion, uniting friends and supporters for a powerful cause.

By organizing Birdies for Ben, Kyle seeks not only to raise awareness about the complexities of substance use disorders but also to provide essential support to individuals embarking on their own paths to recovery.

“I wanted to reach at least just one person, just to help one person realize there is a way out of it and there is help out there if you put your ego and pride aside and just go get the help you need,” Kyle said.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals like Kyle, we invite you to consider donating to The Rosecrance Foundation. Your contribution will help provide essential support and resources for those in need, empowering them on their journey to recovery and a brighter future.