‘Never too late to turn your life around’: Bend’s Walk for Recovery aims to break stigma and celebrate healing
Jillian Fortner
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Central Oregonians came together at Drake Park on Friday for Bend’s Walk for Recovery, a fundraising event hosted by Oregon Recovers.
“It’s really powerful for me,” said Bo Brinson, Executive Director for Oregon Recovers.
A few years ago, Bo was behind bars. Today, he leads Oregon’s largest recovery walk.
“I got released from prison in July of 2019,” Brinson said. “That September, I went to my first recovery event. I remember seeing over a thousand people there, all there for recovery.”
Oregon Recovers now hosts six of these annual walks statewide.
I thought, man, I really would love to be part of this one day. And here I am today, serving as executive director.” said Brinson.
According to Oregon Recover’s website, Oregon has the 2nd highest addiction rate, and 50th when it comes to access to treatment.
In Bend, participants came out only just to walk, but to share stories about their battle with addiction.
“A lot of people think drug addiction is a choice,” said Kerri Wayman with Recover Together Bend. “I’m here because I acknowledge I have a disease and I do need help.”
Local organizations like BestCare and Recover Together Bend showed came to the event to show their support. The goal is to break stigma, celebrate recovery, and connect people with resources.
“Stigma is a huge problem,” said Dr. Emily Harvey from BestCare’s Addiction Clinic. “I think events like this are really great to help raise awareness.”
Blake Soto told us he walks for his close friends who didn’t make it. He is also proud of the recovery he has made itself with Recover Together Bend.
Dillon Wakefield says he graduates from Recover Together Bend next Friday. He wants others to know they are not alone.
“It’s never too late to turn your life around. There’s plenty of resources out there. You just have to have the desperation and the willingness,” Wakefield said.
Oregon Recovers hopes to raise $100,000 to continue funding efforts to end the state’s addiction crisis.