Rachelle Dickey

Why did you want to become a Peer Recovery Coach?

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I wanted to become a peer recovery coach because when I was addicted to substances and homeless, I believed that would be my life and that there was no way out. I didn't have someone to walk along beside me and show me the way out. I didn't have anyone I could trust and not judge me. I wish I had knowledge of a peer coach, but they just weren't around. So, when Tammy taught me all about them and told me I could do it, I did. This job helps keep me sober and helping someone else see the light means so much.

 

What does Recovery look like to you?

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To me, recovery looks like a real life. I am functioning in society which I have never done. I love the meetings I go to and the people I meet. Recovery is hard but it's so worth it. Recovery is showing up for my peers every day, even when it's a hard day to be in recovery. I still show up and that means something. 

 

What is your favorite part about being a Peer Recovery Coach?

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My favorite part about being a peer recovery coach is knowing that I'm making a difference every single day. My peers know that if they call me, I'm going to show up. I go to sleep every night knowing that today I did my best and my best mattered. 

 

What do you like to do for fun?

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Fun to me is spending time with my daughter and my fiancé Daniel. I like to take them to the trails in Winona and just be in nature and have good conversations. I love to read books as well. 

 

What does it mean to you to work at LITE?

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For me working at LITE is like working with a family who loves you and cares about you. I don't actually feel like I'm working, I feel like i am just hanging out with friends and family.

 

How do you use your story to help those with who you work with?

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I use my story to help those I work with by letting them know that I am no better than them or anyone else. We are peers and we are the same and I let them know that they can trust me. I will never judge or tell other people what you are going through. My story shows them that even though you're in the darkest time in your life, there is a way out. 

 

I want you to imagine that you are the great-great-grandmother/grandfather that you dream of being, and you’ve created everything you wanted to create in your life. You’ve accomplished all the dreams, all the big goals that you’ve set. You’ve made them happen. You’ve got the family of your dreams. You’ve done it all. But you have to take everything with you. You have to take everything with you so that no one has access to your information anymore…all your social media content, journals, etc, it’s all gone. But you get to write down the three things you know to be true about your life, the lessons you would leave behind. All people would have to remember you by these lessons.

 

What would you say are your three truths? From the top of your head… What lessons would you want people to take away from your life?

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This is the hardest question, and I am struggling with it. I still have that feeling of "I'm not good enough and I don't deserve to be here." But if I had to leave behind three truths or lessons they would be

 

1.) Life is hard and every day there will be struggles and tribulations but just believe in and talk to God because He will see you through all of it and He will show you the way out.

 

2.) Everyone makes mistakes. Do not let those mistake define you. Don't give up on your dreams.

 

3.) Boundaries are so important, along with mental health. You can not help anyone until you get help for yourself. If something in your life is causing you to lose track of who you are and makes your mental health go south, you need to stop and get help for yourself. Never let someone else have control of your mind and your life. Be yourself and never let anyone try to change who you are. Don't mold yourself to fit in with what other people say you're supposed to be. Be unique and true to yourself. Always reach out if you need help and always extend that same help to your fellows if you are able.