Kerry Manley

What recovery Means To Me - Kerry Manley

2008-07-11T16:38:00.007+01:00

When you meet Kerry, you instantly realise what a gentle, loving person she is. It is also evident that what she went through with her son impacted on her greatly. Here she talks about a happier topic, that of ‘What Recovery Means To Me’.

Feel free to comment and share your experiences and views with us.

My personal story

2008-06-04T14:42:00.009+01:00

The story of my life is interwoven with my son's, Kevin, but this is it from my perspective. It was quite emotional going over it all again, but it has a happy ending, and it may help the families of those going through the trauma of addiction at the moment to understand it all a little better. That is the main reason I have done this story, to try to give others hope.

This is my personal story.

Introducing myself

2008-06-04T14:28:00.017+01:00

Hello, my name is Kerry and I'm 55 (nearly 56!) years old. I've been married to John for 35 years. We have 2 grown up children who have also settled down in Cardiff, and 4 fabulous grandchildren, aged between 2 & 9.

I live with John and our 10 year old dog called Paddy, in a house that has many happy memories of our children growing up. I work full-time (shift-work) in a large hospital in Cardiff as an administrator, which doesn't leave me too much spare time. Lately I've been trying to live a healthier lifestyle - better diet, exercise etc but I have to say I'm failing miserably at present!

I started to volunteer for Wired In after my son, Kevin, had got involved with them during his recovery from drug addiction. I have made some good friends from the ranks of Wired In, and really enjoy spending time with them, both professionally and socially.

Interests :

My Grandchildren, card making, reading, aqua aerobics, walking

Favourite movies :

Mayerling, Billy Elliot, Castaway

Favourite music :

Fleetwood Mac (original line-up!), B B King, Otis Reading, Bob Marley, Matt Redman (worship), Puccini (espeicially Tosca!)

Favourite books :

Papillon, The Bible, The Kite runner, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Favourite quotes :

Martin Luther King - "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope"

Mother Teresa of Calcutta - "If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive"