“They thought that I’d be weak
But you made me strong
They thought that I would crumble
But they were so wrong
You held my hand and encouraged me to stand
When they said I couldn’t do it
I heard You say
You said, “Yes you can”
Marvin Sap- Song “Yes You Can”
Yesterday (August 31, 2023) was International Overdose Awareness Day. I spent the late afternoon in North Adams, Massachusetts with about 30+ people remembering all those we have lost to drug overdoses. Purple flags aligned the front lawn of City Hall to represent all those who have left us too soon. We have had over 100,000 death last year due to drug overdoses and millions more are fighting every day to overcome their addictions. I was able to meet some amazing people yesterday. They were dealing with the loss of people they loved while also continuing to fight to live a life of sobriety. It disheartens me as a person and as a nurse that it can be easier to obtain drugs than it is to get the help and support you need to overcome. It can make you lose hope.
Over the last twelve years of my nursing career, I cannot tell you how many young people I have seen lose their battle with addiction. I sat with many parents when they heard that their child was gone due to a drug overdose. I have been in situations where the doctors and nurses have worked to save a life only to see that person return and this time, we couldn’t save them. I lost hope because I thought we were in a fight, we couldn’t win. There came a time in the early part of those last 12 years that I became numb to it. I managed an emergency room for three years in an area that had some of the highest overdose death rates in the state. I became numb as a protection because the weight of what we were dealing with became so heavy.
I lost my way and it got to a point where I had to step away from direct patient care. I never thought I would ever get to that point in my career. When you dedicate your life to care for others you cannot become detached. When you are caring for a patient, they come to you at the most vulnerable time in their lives. They depend on you for strength, compassion and to be treated with dignity. When I could no longer give that I knew I had to step away.
There were two important moments of many that brought me back. These moments have enabled me to be able to take on my role as DEI Officer. First, it was my introduction to Dr. Donna Hicks PhD’s book on Dignity and it was an old letter I found that a patient wrote about me. This is what he said,
“But his professionalism isn’t what impressed me most. It was his sheer humanity that amazed me…You must have received many compliments already about Charles. I can only repeat, the man is outstanding, kind, humorous, and understanding.”
I share this quote not to brag but to say that every day I get to touch the lives of people. Can you imagine what would happen if we made the majority of people feel like that. He wrote those words back in 2012 and I found them in 2020. They changed my life and led to a new commitment that I would work hard to make a difference. I have not aways been the best person but today I will be the best person I can one day at a time.
Yesterday, my heart broke for all those we have lost but it was also filled with hope for the many people who continue to fight and live. It was also filled with joy by all those who have committed to helping people overcome their addiction. “You held their hand and encouraged them to stand When they said they couldn’t do it I heard You say yes you can.”
Together we will win this fight for ourselves, our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all future generations.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 