Thousands of people walk the I-5 bridge with message of hope

Thousands of people walk the 1-5 bridge with message of hope. People's lives who have been transformed through recovery advocacy efforts and support systems celebrate their recovery and the people and programs who help make that possible. 

​Two area women Patty Katz and Louise Wedge had a dream of giving back to inspire hope and change after one man helped them and countless others to enter the world of recovery. Katz said it was difficult getting off of alcohol and other drugs on her own.  On several occasions her voice choked when recalling the transition in her life and her gratitude for the help she received. 

" I was never successful in getting clean. The man saved my life," Katz said.

Katz and Wedge started "Hands Across the Bridge" in 2001.

Patty Katz

Louise Wedge

​On Sept. 4 around 11 a.m. over 2000 people from WA and OR took their message of hope in a "Hands Across the Bridge" ceremony for national  Alcohol and other Drug Addiction Recovery Month.  Earlier events occurred with various speakers in Portland and Vancouver. Honorable Gregory Gonzales, (Therapeutic Treatment Court) and a Clark County Councilor spoke at Vancouver's event in Esther Short park.

A Native American Drum procession led participants from both sides to the middle of the I-5 bridge to recite a recovery serenity prayer initiated by a tugboat's signal. A dove was released in remembrance of the lives lost from addiction and one for the hope of recovery.

"We have so much we hear that's bad. We always learn of somebody overdosing, robbing a bank, doing this...doing that...but I want people to come out and see the good news. Recovery is real, recovery is possible, recovery rocks," Katz said.

Annually throughout September events take place across the U.S. to celebrate people in recovery and recognize those who help make their recovery possible. Recovery is defined as a process of change through which people improve their health, wellness, and quality of life from the life threatening effects of alcohol and other drug abuse.

​Thomas Breitenbauch was in a treatment center when he participated in his first event.

​"Every year you see somebody new in recovery that you haven't seen in a long time and so it gives you hope and faith that recovery works," said Breitenbauch. 

​This year marks his 10th consecutive year and he currently serves as board chair of the event.

​​Every year accumulative recovery time of participants on the bridge is tallied. Breitenbauch reports 4,180 years, 7 months and 23 days for 2017.

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​This year's Recovery Month theme is strengthening families and communities. Jeri Stanley, Secretary of SW Washington Recovery Coalition, highlights the family aspect. "To me it's really important that family have a place that they can come and get information and resources so they have a place they can go for clarity and understanding," said Stanley. "To feel safe and to be able to explain how they feel and it's not to the neighbor, but it's to somebody who has experienced this as a family member."

​Annually a recovery event called Oxfest follows the bridge ceremony at Esther Short park which includes  music, food, information tables, and activities for children. It is hosted by Oxford Homes Inc., a self-run, self-supported recovery house program for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Testimonials
Contagious smiles and laughter, dancing, and exchanging of hugs throughout the day

It was the first time all of them volunteered for the event. They said they felt it was important to give back. 
 
Thoughts on the HATB Ceremony 
"Today is a big day in recovery for us. We're all in a recovery house. We all pretty much coach each other. Keep each other in line. We lost out on a lot of things being in the drug scene and now that we are in recovery we are seeing the bright side of life and what life has to give us. It makes me feel I accomplished something and my life keeps going forward." (Far L)

Susan Page- mother lost her son Ryan to addiction. (L- sister of Ryan)
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Reflecting on her son
"He was kind. He was respectful. He helped a lot of people, but he couldn't help himself. I didn't how many friends he had until after he passed away. His memorial service we had to get a bigger spot because they were so many people...alot from recovery. Everybody loved him."

Thoughts on the event
"I just wish we would have started coming to events sooner instead of after my son passed. So we come to every event we can to support everybody else and to see if we can save somebody from taking the same road he did. This event gives me hope for other people that they know they can recover. There is so much support around. I love it. I won't miss another one."

Advice to other parents
"Write letters, go visit often, make them part of your world. You get angry, but do what you can and be supportive, but don't be an enabler. With recovery, do whatever you can to be a part of it so they know you are there for them. I think people recover more often than not when they have that kind of support."

"Self care- that's harder. You have to have self-care."
Susan stressed going to support groups and being a part of the family program of treatment. 

Sandy- over nine years of recovery time.
"Today I know how to live life right.  My life is so awesome today. I can reach in my pocket and I do have money and my bills are paid. If people haven't gotten this yet, look at all of us. We're not perfect people, we don't live life perfect, but we do have a lot to give and you can get it too."

Trista Wolles has been a volunteer for many years with HATB. Wolles said witnessing the unity, hope and the lives transformed inspired her and moved her to tears.

​"Turning your life around from something so desolate and draining into something so positive and wonderful and making a change in your life for the better...going from a place of hopelessness to a place of pure hope and inspiration and movement upwards in life... that's pretty incredible to see", said Wolles.  

(Left)- "For me it represents a spiritual connection with a community that is strong"

(Right)- "We have a very tight knit recovery community here and our kids have lots of aunts and uncles and just people in their lives they know they can count on."

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Legislation and State Coalition Information

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For more resources or to read other stories of hope
handsacrossthebridge.org
SW Washington Recovery Coalition
Washington Recovery Alliance
Oxfest
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa)- learn what's going on in your state
​Thuy Smith Journal (For more stories)
Thuy Smith Outreach International (Main Website)

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