I read an article by Georgie Silvarole, of Anderson independent Mail, that I liked in our local paper today, about a woman who struggled with alcoholism for 33 years. Over that time, Sandra Coffman lost her family, her house and her job. In desperation, she turned to an addiction treatment facility in Maryland, Ashley Addiction Treatment.
That was going to work, or else.
Recovery with Ashley was my last chance," Coffman said. "It was either that was going to work or I was going to take care of business (commit suicide). I was done on this earth.
More below.
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After nearly a month at Ashley arrested the downward spiral, she came to South Carolina to visit a friend for a “you’ve got to see these goats’ weekend, where she visited goats at a local farm in Anderson, Split Creek Farm. That did it. It finished the process begun at Ashley.
She said she didn't expect anything of it, but something clicked as soon as she saw the goats come up to her, eagerly awaiting petting and staring at her with wide eyes.
"It was the weirdest, craziest thing," Coffman said. "The goats helped me get my soul back. I was dead — I was dead inside."
Goats!
"I lost everything and I had to walk on to that farm very humble," Coffman said. "I didn’t realize going into this that goats are amazing. They're so so sensitive and social and loving and just really cool animals."
Clearly, Ms. Coffman tapped into a dynamic energy in her encounter with the goats. They don’t judge. They don’t care about your past. They just engage, with their great health, physical and mental. And the magic proceeds from there.
Coffman got a full-time job at the goat farm, and has worked there (up to 60 hours in a week!) since.
In March, Coffman proposed a goat therapy program at Ashley in Maryland. Martha Meehan-Cohen, director of advancement at Ashley, accepted. Split Creek donated five goats to the program, and off it went!
The goats are living at a 12-acre facility designated to treat young men aged 18–26 recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The patients are tasked with feeding and caring for the goats, and are completely responsible for their well-being, Meehan-Cohen said.
"It's transformational to have pets that our young adult men can bond with," Meehan-Cohen said. "It's almost like a dual-rescue situation. These young men, who are really broken, they are learning about unconditional trust."
What a brilliant contribution by a woman, once broken, now whole. Because of her friends, the goats, and her own hard work and innate goodness.
It’s the kind of story I love to read, in these trying times. And I hope you like it, too!
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From Mike the Liberal:
I’d like to recommend this comment from Captain Frogbert, replying to and amplifying my comment in Mark Sumner’s diary What happens when black men refuse to praise Trump: 'I should have left them in jail'. Sometimes, it takes a little more to say a lot, and I am one who tries to say as few words as possible.
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Top Mojo for yesterday, November 19th 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
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