Missouri Recovery Event Draws 50 to Hear Healing Stories

Three women stood before their neighbors in Madison County, Missouri and shared the hardest chapters of their lives to give others hope that recovery is possible.

The Madison County Health Department hosted "Tearing Down the Walls of Stigma" on May 5th, drawing over 50 community members to hear local recovery stories. Ten support organizations set up tables, including Community Counseling Center, Celebrate Recovery, and Alcoholics Anonymous, all ready to help anyone seeking support.

Jessica Gaines, 39, spoke first about her journey from prison to becoming a Peer Support Specialist at Madison County Recovery Allies. She had three reasons for sharing her story: to give hope to those still struggling, to help herself heal, and to educate the community about addiction.

"My recovery is not just about staying sober," Gaines told the crowd. "It's about using my story to help others and change how people see addiction. We are human beings who need support, compassion and understanding."

Sam Tinnin-Mangold, now a UPS driver in Fredericktown, shared her 15-year battle with meth addiction and her 15 years of sobriety. She talked about feeling like she never measured up, starting with getting drunk at age 9 and her first DWI at 17.

"People love to label you when you've been through addiction," Tinnin-Mangold said. "But I'm standing here as proof that those labels aren't permanent. We aren't the worst things we've done."

Cheyenne Fuller, another Peer Support Specialist at Madison County Recovery Allies, rounded out the speakers. She started using substances at 14 and attended her first rehab during her junior year of high school.

Why This Inspires

These women didn't just get sober. They turned around and became the helping hands for others still struggling. All three now work in recovery support, transforming their pain into purpose and proving that the people who understand addiction best are often those who've lived through it.

Martha Senter from the Madison County Health Department chose a butterfly as the event's symbol because it represents metamorphosis. Everyone who shared a story and everyone who listened is growing and changing.

Recovery is happening one brave story at a time in Madison County.