Robin Bagwell and Carol Laurence*
The Fourth Annual Day of Discovery & Recovery Co-Chairs Robin Bagwell and Jan Osborn weren’t going to let a little thing like one of the mightiest storms in Dallas history cramp their plans. The purpose was too important. So, while the rest of the area was suffering from power outages and storm damages, the Fourth Annual Caron Cares Seminar was moved outdoors on Friday, October 3, with the sun shining. Here is a report from the field:
Outside seminar*
“Not even the lack of electricity at Lover’s Lane United Methodist Church could prevent Caron Cares from holding the Fourth Annual Day of Discovery & Recovery presented by Bank of Texas and Charlotte and Fred Ball. Plenty of sunshine and a cool breeze provided light and air conditioning for the event as the doors were opened and workshops were held outside.
Doug Tieman, Fred and Charlotte Ball, Rick Lear and Jack Zogg*
“Retired Pastor at Lover’s Lane UMC Dr. Don Benton was honored with the Community Leadership Award. Marie Krebs accepted the Corporate Community Leadership Award for Twelfth Step Ministry, Inc. Scott Murray emceed the program.
Marie Krebs and Mike Pules*
Robert Hall, Barb Reynolds and Scott Murray*
“Caron Treatment Centers President/CEO Doug Tieman was the luncheon keynote speaker. Doug shared his personal story of battling alcoholism while serving as president of one of the oldest and largest drug and alcohol addiction treatment center organizations in the country. In 2008, Tieman was charged with drunken driving in Palm Beach County, Florida, after attending a fundraising gala for Caron Renaissance Institute Treatment Center.
“Tieman began his keynote address by telling the audience of his dad’s experience as a teenager on a pork farm in Missouri. One day his father was given the task of riding an old bicycle into town pulling a chicken coop full of chickens. Hitting a slick spot along the way, his father wrecked the bicycle allowing all of the chickens to escape. Doug’s father realized that he needed help gathering the chickens so he knocked on a neighbor’s door and they willingly helped him catch the critters. Doug’s dad then walked the bicycle home instead of riding it, proud of the fact that he had caught all 15 chickens. When relaying the unfortunate saga to Doug’s grandfather, his grandfather said, ‘That’s curious. You started with 12.”
“Doug related the story of his teenage father to his own alcoholism recovery story and stated four main points that were attributed to both:
- He took responsibility for his actions.
- He asked for help.
- He did the work.
- He changed his behavior and ended up with more than he started with.
| “Doug realized that he had a problem with alcohol; however, he was afraid to ask for help because of his position at Caron. He said that he was armed with all of the knowledge of alcoholism, but even knowing the facts, it didn’t protect him. Doug went on to say that he considers the DUI divine intervention. ‘I’m glad I was able to have this intervention in my life and start down the life of recovery.’ Doug expressed his appreciation to the Caron Board of Directors when they said after his arrest, ‘We don’t shoot our employees. We will get you help.’ Doug spent the next 45 days in treatment and as a result said that his life and his relationship with his family has gotten ten times better. He encouraged all — ‘Don’t delay!’ |
Dotti Reeder, Amara Durham, Cal Grant, Kalita Blessing and Mallory Maclay*
“Caron’s mission is to provide an enlightened and caring treatment community in which those affected by the disease of alcoholism or other drug addiction may begin a new life.”
* Photos and writeup credit: Jan Osborn