MY STORY

My story is one of perseverance and overcoming challenges! By age 14, I was alcohol dependent. I went from being a promising student athlete with honors to a habitual truant and juvenile delinquent. My bottom was literally in the bottom of a ditch intoxicated, flipped upside down in my car at 2am on a school night. I was 17 years old and lucky to be alive. I could see the disappointment in my mother's eyes as she begged me to "slow down" and stop drinking. I vowed to her that I would never drink again! Less than 24 hours later, I was drinking again.  I had a serious alcohol addiction and didn't even realize it.  I managed to graduate High School and it wasn't until I left home that her words started to resonate with me. Free of distractions and peer pressures, I was able to refocus and gain control of my life with the support and encouragement of my family and the community.

I eventually went on to college and fulfilled the promise I made to my mother of earning my college degree! Following the example her and my father set of helping others and being part of something greater than oneself, I served in the military for several years and currently volunteer as a youth athletic coach and mentor in my local community. 

Shell Life is dedicated to and inspired by my late mother and our shared love of family, fashion, community and turtles!