{"id":1190,"date":"2018-03-06T08:19:57","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T08:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ladwpcares.org\/?p=1190"},"modified":"2021-04-05T10:11:45","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T17:11:45","slug":"ralph-jackson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ladwpcares.org\/index.php\/2018\/03\/06\/ralph-jackson\/","title":{"rendered":"Ralph Jackson"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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My personal video can be viewed here: <\/em><\/strong>Ralph’s Video<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

Hello my name is Ralph Jackson<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am a MCH for Power PC&M and I would like to share my story with my brothers and sisters here at the Department of Water and Power and anywhere else for that matter. I share this life experience for   the same reason I chose to be a peer volunteer and that is to touch someone’s life and possibly provide hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. I have had moments of feeling totally helpless, and I know what it feels like to walk through a dark journey by myself. It’s no fun, but I am convinced that God put me here on theface of earth to help anyone, anywhere, anytime, regardless of where you may come from, or what you may have done.  I am a living example that you can make it, simply because I did.<\/p>\n

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My story begins with growing up in a decent household in the 1970’s. I came from a rough part of town, Watts, California. As a youngster I managed to stay out of trouble and drug free. I always said that drugs were something I wouldn’t  do and where I came from, if you didn’t commit  a violent  crime, graduated from High School, and stayed out of trouble, basically you were doing pretty  good. During my Middle School years, I smoked Marijuana and dabbled with alcohol. That combined with an addictive behavior was a recipe for disaster and from then on I was headed toward impending turmoil. In High School I became an athlete and managed to graduate and go on to college, but the drinking and using continued. In college I played football and could have gotten a better education but the concentration just wasn’t there. While not altogether prepared, I somehow managed to get through 4 years of college. After college, I joined the Marines where the alcoholism increased, yet I maintained a good work ethic. After my military career ended, I was back at home. As a young black man approaching manhood in the inner city in the mid 80’s, I’m sure you can imagine what that was like.<\/p>\n

Our community became inundated with drugs, violence, and guns. But that was no excuse because I would have found my way to drugs and dysfunction anywhere.I started a career in heavy construction, building freeways throughout the city of Los Angeles. Drugs were widely used in the industry and I dove in head first and that\u2019s when my life took a drastic change. Life for me continued on a steady decline that included loss of jobs, incarcerations, loss of family, and all the negativity that accompany addiction. I have been to rehabilitation centers on two occasions and the first time was a lie. I just went to keep my job and while there I just went through the motions. I didn\u2019t take directions or learn anything about myself and eventually I ended up with the same results once I returned home. I continued using until I hit rock bottom. Ten years later, I had a spiritual awakening and I voluntarily went to a program that lasted 2 years and I ended up staying 18 months. It was a very intense program that included attack therapy with a military structure. It was just what I needed and the best thing that ever happened to me. Prior to that I lost a sister to the disease of addiction but that still did not stop me from using. I had to make this decision for myself.  Since drugs and alcohol are usually only 10 % of our problems, and the other 90% is us, I had to do some serious introspective work on myself. Once I followed directions, worked the 12 steps, secured a sponsor and became honest with myself I started to learn about what was really going on with me and life got better.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

We here at the Department of Water and Power, are blessed to have a program like the Peer Volunteer Program because when I was suffering, I had no one and I am lucky to be alive today. Sobriety offers me freedom that I have never imagined and the best thing to ever happen to me. Overall I have had a pretty good life, it could have been better minus the drugs and alcohol but that was part of my journey to get me where I am today and to be here to help you. I have 17 years clean and sober, and I have been with the department for 10 amazing years.<\/p>\n

Don’t  get me wrong, life still shows up and things still happen, but I don’t  have to hide, and I can talk to individuals without a look of shame, I can feel confident taking urinalysis, do positive  thing with my earnings and live an honest life. It is the way life is meant to be and I can assure you, using never makes anything better and always results in demise and that never changes. I have been down that road and never want to return. You my friend don\u2019t have to be there either. It’s so much fun being sober. I can go places, have fun, feel good and not miss a beat. I don\u2019t feel sad like I used to, I’m not always making up excuses, and saying I’m sorry. It’s a freedom that you deserve.  God wants you to have the best in life and it\u2019s here for the taking. All you have to do is ask a peer volunteer and we will be there to help. Thank you for your time and contact me anytime or any day, I’m here for you. God bless you and hang in there.<\/p>\n

Ralph Jackson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My personal video can be viewed here: Ralph’s Video Hello my name is Ralph Jackson I am a MCH for Power PC&M and I would like to share my story with my brothers and sisters here at the Department of Water and Power and anywhere else for that matter. 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