Saved His Eye…Maybe His Life!

On the way to my office yesterday morning, I ran into Brian as he was leaving for work. At 25, he came to our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program 15 months ago with his life out-of-control because of drugs.

Brian had been — in the dead of winter — sleeping in his tent sitting on an old drum-stand next to a washing machine in the cold basement of a guy’s house! He admits to being desperate and suicidal at that point.

Mom found out and got him to come to Helping Up Mission. Now sleeping in a warm bed and eating hot food, Brian decided he could do this a while!

As things started looking up for him, vision in Brian’s right eye started getting fuzzy. We got him to an ophthalmologist and he was told he had glaucoma and melanoma in that eye.

So, during the rest of his year here, Brian had surgery and radiation and wore an eye patch. But he went on to graduate from our Program and his eye healed nicely.

While not an easy time for him, Brian made it very clear, “I have never been happier in my life! Even on my worst day, I was happier here at HUM than I’ve ever been!”

Then, just before graduation, Brian was hired by one of HUM’s community partners that employs our men. So when I saw him in the hallway and asked how work was going he informed me he had received “Salesman of the Month” honors!

Brian’s a grateful and happy young man loving his life and enjoying his job today! Sort of made my day, too!

One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director