May 17, 2011

10/5/2011

David L Romo, Arizona USA
I would like to express my deep heartfelt sympathy for the victims who lost their lives and the families that are now grieving this great loss. This tragic ongoing event continues to test the will of Japan's ability to meet the challenges that face her great people. Clearly, Japan is no stranger to reconstruction after natural or man made disasters. The world watches how Japan restores the massive physical damage caused by this catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and power plant damage. I believe Japan has much to teach the world on how a disaster can be managed. Very few countries can identify with what Japan is now experiencing and I believe the lessons earned will be invaluable in the future to those countries requiring some type of assistance. What makes a country great are it's people and how they respond to any challenge before them.
Japan's best friend is now time....time to grieve.....time to heal....time to rebuild and finally time to restore it's greatest asset, faith in themselves to once again demonstrate the values that make Japan one of the greatest countries in the world. I am available to provide any assistance now or in the future to help Japanese people understand how this type of mass trauma affects the way we feel, think and behave. My experience of working the 1995 great Hanshin Kobe earthquake revealed many human struggles unique to the Japanese people. We as a global community have learned much since the Kobe earthquake about the psychological trauma and the importance of psychological intervention mitigating harmful long lasting psychic trauma. Cleaning up the destructive physical damage does provide some measure of comfort but the long lasting psychological trauma can take generations to heal. Once elemental necessities ( food ,shelter and clothing) are made available to the masses living in shelters psychological interventions are crutial to both adults and children to express themselves and allow their suffering to have meaning.
My best wises from a greatful adopted son of Japan who's life has been dramatically changed as a result of ""remarkable chance"" to meet and befriend for 36 years one of Japan's special and unique citizens Tsukasa Mizusawa founder of the Healing and Recovery Institute of Yokohama City, Japan.

Apr 20, 2011

17/4/2011 - 24/4/2011

Lei Lani Lee Washington, USA 
Sending you lots of Love and Prayers!

Deb Evensen Homer, Alaska 
In 1989 the communities in my area of Alaska were devastated by a gigantic oil spill.  We know what it is like to have your sacred ocean water poisoned.  We know that what you are going through is much bigger than this horror we faced, but we hoped that this letter, written by a beloved aboriginal elder might benefit you. 
We honor you for your courage and strength.  Japan is showing the rest of the world what standing together in the face of adversity looks like.
Bless you.
********
Chief Walter Meganack on Native Alaskan Life in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Below is an excerpt from The Day the Water Died: A Compilation of the November 1989 Citizens Commission Hearings on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.
For those who do not live the Native life, there is no better way to understand the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on the Native communities than to read it in the eloquent testimony submitted by Walter Meganack. Meganack is the traditional Village Chief of the Port Graham Native Village on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula.
Chief Walter Meganack:
"THE NATIVE STORY IS A DIFFERENT STORY from the white man's story because our lives are different.  What we value is different, how we see the water and the land, the plants and the animals is different. What the white man does for sport and recreation and money, we do for life, for the life or our bodies, for the life of our spirit, for the life or our ancient culture.
Fishing and hunting and gathering are the rhythms of our tradition, regular daily lifetime, not vacation time, not employment time.
Our lives are rooted in the seasons of God's creation. Since time immemorial, the lives of Native people harmonized with the rhythm and the cycles of nature. We are a part of nature. We don't need a calendar or clock to tell us what time it is. The misty green of new buds on the trees tell us, the birds returning from their winter vacation tell us, the daylight tells, us.
When the days get longer, we get ready. Boots and boats and nets and gear are prepared for fishing. The winter beaches are not lonely anymore because our children and the grownups visit the beaches in the springtime, and they gather the abundance of the sea, the shellfish, the snails, the chitons. When the first salmon is caught, our whole village is excited. It is an annual ritual of mouth watering and delight. The children are excited, the parents are pleased and proud, the elders smile in their memories of other times in the village.
When our bellies are filled with the fresh new life, then we put up food for the winter. We dry it and smoke and can hundreds of fish to feed a family. The homes have hanging fish alongside hanging laundry. The sights and smells of a village in the spring is the Native way. This is the way the elders taught us, and the elders taught them for thousands of years since the big ice left Alaska. There was no Europe then, no Roman Empire, there were no Jews, no Christians, no Egyptian civilization, but my people were here. The Alaska Natives were here celebrating spring and laughing and loving and working and teaching the rhythm of nature, the rhythm of our lives.
Much has happened to our people in recent centuries. We have toilets now, schools, we have clocks and calendars in our homes. Some of us got to the office in the morning, the children go to school. But sometimes the office is empty and locked, and sometimes the child is late for school because there are more important things to do, like walking the beaches collecting the chitons, watching for the first fish.
The roots of our lives grow deep into the water and land. That is who we are. We are like our brothers the bear and the deer. We live on the land our food is mostly from the water. The bear eats the fish, the deer eats the seaweed, Natives eat all of the life in the sea and the water. The land and the water are our sources of life. The water is sacred. The water is like a baptismal font and its abundance is the holy communion of our lives.
Of all the things that we have lost since non-Natives came to our land, we have never lost our connection with the water. The water is our source of life. So long as the water is alive, the Natives are alive.
It was early in the springtime. No fish yet, no snails, but the signs were with us. The green was starting, some birds were flying and singing. The excitement of the season had just begun, and then we heard the news, oil in the water, lots of oil killing lots of water. It is too shocking to understand. Never in the millennium of our tradition have we thought it was possible for the water to die, but it's true.
We walked the beaches, but the snails and the barnacles and the chitons are falling off the rocks, dead. We caught our first fish, the annual first fish, the traditional delight of all; but it got sent to the state to be tested for oil. No first fish this year.
We walked the beaches, but instead of gathering life we gathered death: dead birds, dead otters, dead seaweed. Before we have a chance to hold each other and share our tears, our sorrow and our loss, we suffer yet another devastation.
We are invaded by the oil companies offering jobs, high pay, lots of money. We are in shock. We need to clean the oil, get it out of our water, bring death back to life. We are intoxicated with desperation. We don't have a choice but to take what is offered. So we take the jobs, we take the orders, we take the disruption, we participate in the senseless busywork.
We start fighting. We lose control. We lose trust for each other, we lose control of our daily life. Everybody pushing everyone. We Native people aren’t used to being bossed around. We don’t like it, but now our own people are pointing fingers at us. Everyone wants to be boss. We are not working like a team. We lost control of our village. Our preschool meets in a community center. We shut the preschool down so the oil company can have it. We work for the oil company now. We work for money. The springtime season of our village ways is gone, destroyed.
Our people get sick. Elders and children in the village, workers on the beaches, lots of sickness this year; stomachaches, head pain, bad colds. We hardly talk to each other anymore. Everybody is touchy. Everybody is ready to jump on you and blame you. People are angry and afraid, afraid and confused. Our elders feel helpless. They cannot work. They can’t work on the cleanup. They cannot do all the activities of gathering food and preparing for the winter. And most of all, they cannot teach their young ones the Native way. How will the children learn the values and the ways if the water is dead? Very afraid if the water is dead. If the water is dead, maybe we are dead, our heritage, our tradition, our ways of life and living and relating to nature and to each other.
The oil companies lied about preventing the spill. Now they lie about the clean-up. Our people know what happens on the beaches. Spend all day cleaning one huge rock and the tide comes in and it’s covered with oil again. Spend a week wiping and spraying the surface, but pick up a rock and there’s four inches of oil underneath.
Our people know the water and the beaches, but they get told what to do by people who should be asking, not telling. We fight a rich and powerful giant; the oil industry. While at the same time we take orders and a paycheck from it. We are torn in half.
Will it end? After five years maybe we will see some springtime water life again. But will the water and the beaches see us? What will happen to our lives in the next five years? What will happen this fall when the cleaning stops and the money stops? We have lived through such devastations. Our villages were almost destroyed by chicken pox and tuberculosis. We fight the battles of alcohol and drug abuse and we survive.
A wise white man once said, 'where there is life, there is hope.' And that is true. But what we see now is death, death not of each other, but of a source of life, the water. We will need much help, much listening in order to live through the long barren season of dead water, a longer winter than ever before.
I am an elder. I am chief. I will not lose hope. I will help my people. We have never lived through this kind of death, but we have lived through lots of other kinds of death. We will learn from the past, we will learn from each other, and we will live. The water is dead, but we are alive, and where there is life there is hope."
— Chief Walter Meganack, Port Graham Native Village

Mary Carol Melton Ohio, USA 
Hello, I just want you all to know that there are many of us around the world who are praying for you every day.  Recovery itself can be personally challenging when life presents us with overwhelming challenges, but it is at exactly those times when recovery means the most.  Know that there are many who are sending love and support your way.

Apr 16, 2011

13/4/2011 - 16/4/2011

judi hollis california, usa 
You are not alone.  We are all here supporting, loving, and admiring you greatly.   I'm sure it is ovewhelming.  We are so grateful to have a recovery program in the midst of adversities.  Please hang on for all of us.  we care and support all we know.

Julie B. New York City, USA
After the famous surprise and hurt here of 9/11, we kept meeting but sometimes it was too much to even be in an AA meeting. Still, we sat there, together. Or talked to each other, kept talking to each other, don't drink, help each other, pray, take a walk, eat something simple if you can.  This too will pass, they kept saying. And it does. HP, the spirit of life is insistent and resilient. As are the Japanese.  Don't let a catastrophe drag you into a darker one.  This will pass; I know I might never get another chance to get sober. 
Thinking of you all with love and support,  Julie B.

Anne Miller California, USA 
Hello! My condolences for your may losses.  I know you must be grieving.
When I am in a stressful situation that involves loss, I remember the five stages of grief - Bargaining, anger, depression, acceptance, and denial.  These are normal feelings during a crisis and need to be felt, different ones at different times.  Instead of acting out in an addiction, I allow myself to grieve, and comfort my inner child by letting her know I will take care of her and not let her suffer any more.  When I do these things, I am not tempted to drink, use drugs, or cover up my feelings with other behaviors that are utlimately painful.

Julia B. London, UK 
Dear friends in recovery at all stages,
I cannot even begin to comprehend the enormity of all you are suffering right now, but I can share with you this:  I have been clean and sober now for over 24 years and have survived many personal and larger tragedies - everything from a miscarriage the day after my wedding and not being able to have children to being in New York City on 9/11 and living through the San Francisco earthquake in 1989.  The way I have made it through these events, along with other bereavements without a drink or a drug, is through prayer (to whatever I may believe in that day), meditation (daily) and talking with other people in recovery who understand how I feel or who perhaps, even in my time of distress, I may even be able to help, if through nothing else than the example of not picking up a drink or a drug.  I cannot tell you that has always been easy and there are times I wish like everyone else I could 'drown my sorrows,' but of course for me it never was just that and wouldn't be no matter how scary or bad a time I am having.
Again, I am not going to try to guess the level of stress you are under, and I commend you for keeping close to your recovery in a time like this.  I can promise you this one thing: if you can manage to not pick up a drink or a drug now, you will be stronger for that and be a power of example to those around you.  If you do drink or take drugs, nothing at all will get better and much will get far worse.  You are present and alive and can be of use sober and many will be grateful to you for that.
Many blessings and prayers to you.  I wish you a safe journey through this extraordinarily difficult time.  May your Higher Power be with you.
Julia B.

Jayne Wise  California USA
From the moment I heard about the earthquake, my thoughts and fears turned immediately to my dear friends at ASK.  We have had the honor of working with our colleagues for many years now.  This hard working dedicated group of professional’s response has not been for themselves but for the community around them.  It has been selfless on all levels.  They did exactly as I hope I would be able to do should we experience the same destruction, they have LEAD BY EXAMPLE.  They took action, sought solidarity, established priorities and requested our support.  They have faced their own fears while meeting the needs of their community.  My message is simple, “you are not alone”.  It is a small world in which we all live.  The Japanese people have shown us integrity and strength and the ability to unit.  It is truly an honor and a privilege to be able to share my message.  Thank you!

Jerry Moe California, USA 
I think about you daily and keep you all in my prayers. Remember that you are not alone. Keep on reaching out to others you trust for support and guidance. Go to extra group meetings during this very stressful and challenging time. Be of service to others on a regulas basis. Live one day at a time and be especially good to yourselves--practice self-care. Let the people you love know that each and every day.

Paula Wold San Diego, CA USA
Dearest friends of the world,
My heart goes out to you and your loved ones in this most critical time.  I wish I had some words of comfort or some magical wisdom that would make sense of what has heppened to you and your home.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  As for your recovery, this certianly is a time when relaspe can be present.  Now more than ever the support from others is so important.  Feelings that are present and unprocessed are the biggest trip hazard always, now most certainly.  I wish for you wholness and wellness and healing and may your program of recovery carry you through this seemingly impossible time.
Love and prayers to you all, Paula

Karen Michaels Los Angeles, California USA
God bless your tireless efforts as you minister ... offer enrichment ... and, empowerment to the people of Japan.  Our prayers are with you for continued strength and nourishment.
Karen Michaels, Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Edwin Fahlsing, MD

shirle los angeles USA
I can only imagine how you are feeling on the other hand I know how you feel , you see my sisiter was a victim in KATRINA in New Orleans...I didn't know of her whereabouts or if she was alive ......I never thought to pick up a drink  istead I picked up a meeting or called someone. None of this may be posssible for you at the monment.....if you can FIND  a power greater than yourself and hld on to the idea that you will NOT be given more han you can handle. I will keep you in my prayers.
all the best   shirle A

Mike Harges California, USA
As a person in recovery my self I recognize the extra burden the recent disasters in your country can put on the recovering addict/alcoholic.  I, my self, am in Marijuana Anonymous and am aware of the small population of that organization (MA), but never the less it ia as real a problem as any other addiction.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan in this time of strife.
I also want to address the professionals in the field as well as all the first responders and follow up groups, you are doing a much needed and valued service, my thanks to you."

Collette California, USA
When I have hard times I do my best to take care of myself so I will have the energy to be of support to others.  Eating good foods, taking some time outdoors, getting some exercise, and spending a few minutes in silence always helps me to relax.  Most importantly for me is that I take time every day to think about the things for which I feel grateful.  Every morning I spend a few minutes thinking about all of the things that are wonderful in my life and realize that I am fortunate for what I have.  I give thanks for my wonderful family and my good health and it helps give me hope that the other things that have been weighing so heavy on me will get better soon.

Scott Johnson Palm Springs, Ca. USA
Dear Friends in Recovery, You are not alone!  You have the support of many recovering people.   
I pray for you every day. Like me, you can always turn to the Higher Power for help.  He never gives up on us, even when we give up on him.  I have gone through many dark times in my recovery and can still remain sober for 33 yrs.   You can do this also!
When terrible things happen I use the simple parts of the program.  You can use the slogans, like: One Day at a Time—or even one minute at a time.  Do not try solve all the problems in one day.  You can use a Spot Check Inventory to remain on guard for Fear, Resentment and Self Centeredness.  You can use other members in Recovery to talk to when things are hard.  Best of all, you can be of service to others.  By doing so, you will find peace, comfort and sense of being useful even during these times of disaster.
I remember that when I put my problems in the hands of my Higher Power, Miracles happen.  The Higher Power loves it that we trust him in all our affairs.  If you do this, you will receive rewards beyond measure.  Calamity is Opportunity in the hands of the Higher Power.
Remember that coping with disaster is a process.  First comes Awareness.  Then comes Acceptance. Then it is time to take action.  Many times I have had an awareness and rushed to action only to find that it made things worse.  If you can slow down and accept things before you take action, the results will be much better for and everyone around you.  
Finally remember that This Too Shall Pass.  It will not be like this forever.  Keep your sobriety before all the affairs of the world and you will triumph.
Much Love to you All!

Lou B Florida USA
Serenity is peace in the eye of the storm. I try to remember that when bad things happen and it brings me thru. My Higher Power is always there to give me the strength I need to go thru the problem. If I stay out of fear and remain in faith I do well. When I go into fear, stinking thinking takes over and my serenity is gone. PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! THERE IS A WORLD WIDE RECOVERY FELLOWSHIP PRAYING FOR YOU!
Yours In Service, Lou B

Deb Alaska, USA 
I was thinking about advice someone I really respect gave me that has really helped me in tough times.  She said that it doesn't really matter what a situation looks like, that there are so many good outcomes that we haven't even began to think about.  She said that no matter what things look like, realize that anything is possible and that "Divine love always meets every human need".
I have a good friend whose husband had a terrible stroke and the doctors told them in the hospital emergency room, that if he lived he would never even be able to move his arm or even sit up, talk or anything.  She called me from the emergency room at the hospital and I told her my friend's advice.  I said "no matter what people tell you, no matter how bad the situation looks, you don't have to buy into that.  Remember that anything is possible.  Don't buy into fear and just trust."
The doctors call my friend's husband a miracle, as he completely, entirely recovered as he was before.
I know you are facing much more than that, and I totally have faith in you all.
Anything is possible, miracles happen every day and Divine Love meets every humanneed.
Standing by you with love

9/4/2011 - 12/4/2011

Ed Noyes Washington, USA 
You all are inspirations to everyone because of your individual recoveries.  If you can recover, then a nation can also. Live strong!

JILL R DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA 
ARE U LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO GO THERE & HELP??? IF SO I AM INTERESTED. PLEASE FOWARD INFORMATION

Charlene Chase Kirkland, WA  USA
To my fellow travelers on the road to recovery such as myself.  I have been given the gift of sobriety for almost 33 years and yet there have been times in my recovery that I felt like I was going to die from the pain of life's happenings such as you are living in now.  My Higher Power is pulling me through my unexpected divorce late in my life, but I knew that nothing and no one could ever made me drink of use Valium again.  Our fellowship is a never ending circle of love and strength and I am sending of my prayer, blessings and continued sobriety on to each and everyone of you brave and wonderful people.
With love and aloha, Charlene C.  .....USA

Betty Washington USA 
Similarly it is an ""honor' to watch with tearful eyes the devastation that has hit your beautiful country and our globe and to observe  the amount of courage, commitment and perseverance that you  and your staff are being called upon to serve your community. It is tremendous! It is inspiring!
I want you to know that anyone I know, or speak to, or write to does NOT CARE! The world is engaged with you in your courageousness!
Claudia Black gave me a ""deck of cards"" called the Wisdom of the Crone. I know the AA community has many daily inspirational aids to help them continue their journey in sobriety. This is slightly different since it speak to us you are SAGE/Wise WOMAN.
I opened this box this AM and let a card speak/draw itself out of the deck.
Today I think it speaks to you and your staff:
Generations:
Sometime we wonder what legacy we will leave.
What song, joke, advice of story will be passed along. We can now be of influenced. Older women have passion, time, guts and experience. Some say when the grandmothers speak the earth will be healed. Look seven generations ahead.
I encourage you and your team to look SEVEN Generations ahead.
The work you do today impacts GENERATIONS
Sincerely!

Jean C Arizona, USA 
It has been my experience that to the extent there is tragedy conversely God's grace is present. I am praying for all of you during this tragic time and hoping God's grace is being realized. Peace, Love and Healing to you all, Jean C
 
Tonya~ Arizona, USA
In moments when I am alone and struggling to remember my connection to the universe, my sisters and brothers of humanity, I reflect on all that I am, pure love in a form unimaginable by our limited minds.  I ask for the love of all of us to hold me in spirit as I move forward taking each tiny step at a time until I can see the light again past the darkest moments.
My sisters and brothers of Japan, I am holding each of you in love and light for healing, sobriety and grace.
Until we meet again,Tonya~

Sharon Cruse Nevada USA 
I want to send my prayers and hope that you will go forward and find a sense of hope, courage and relief.  Your recovery is such a gift and it will be the inner strength and power that you will need to sustain your sobriety and find your way through this crisis.  I am from an alcoholic family and the skills I have learned in coming through that experience has made me be able to face difficult times and come through with my recovery intact.  Prayers and hope to you all.
Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse  Bless you all.

Mark Los Angeles, CA  USA 
Recovery can bring new challenges daily, some more so than others.  Please know that others worldwide are aware of the difficulties you face in your Recovery and pray for you.  One minute at a time, if that is all that is bearable in this unparalled time.

4/4/2011 - 8/4/2011

Bobbie A. Arizona, USA 
Alcoholics Anonymous has given me many tools in the 33 plus years I have been a member of this wonderful Program.  To carry the message to another alcoholic is my privilege.  What works for me when I cannot attend a meeting is:    Talking to another alcoholic who will not judge me is my key to freedom, and when nobody is available I ask the God of my Understanding to give me a strong heart to withstand the urge to drink or use prescription drugs.
 My household wants you to know that we are thinking of you and praying for the Peace of the Program to help you stay sober.  Keep on Keeping On!
With love, Bobbie A.

Lyle A. Arizona, USA
Sharing my feelings and pain with another recovering Alcoholic is essential to my recovery, we can help each other by following the simple steps found in the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonomus. I will seek out my friends in the program and get togenter with them. Remember, a meeting is where two or more Alcoholics get toghther and share their recovery. One Day At A Time!

Claudia Black Washington state, USA 
To our dear friends of Japan..... our thoughts and prayers are with you.  Times such as this allow people to discover their strengths they never knew they had and yet can certainly be overwhelming as well.  You are strong, you have met the challenge of your addiction.... you know what it means to ""not have control""  you also know what it means to put one foot in front of the other..... to have faith....to join with others..... and to stay focused on the present.... nothing, nothing is worth taking that fix, using alcohol..... now is the time to be grateful for your recovery.......you need it more than ever.  With my love, Claudia Black

Claudia Black Washington state, USA 
To the Caregivers, the volunteers - you are as important as those you are attending to. It is times such as this that coming together to be there for others is so important, but allow your colleagues and friends to be there for you too.  Individually and collectively you are there for the long run, so you must stay healthy yourself.  Pace yourself the best you can.   And know you are human, and can only do so much-- and certainly feel good about waht you can do.  You are so appreciated. Sincerely,
Claudia Black, PH.D.

Charlie Nelson San Diego, California USA
I am an addict and alcoholic with 29 years of recovery.  In 2003 a firestorm swept over San Diego and 2500 homes and entire communities were burned to the ground.  Numerous people died. When the fire happened, I was at the Betty Ford Center training their staff on how to deal with people in trauma.  I received a phone call saying I had 15 minutes to evacuate my home as a large fire was approaching my neighborhood.  Since the Betty Ford Center is more than two hours away, I didn't get back in time.  My house and 350 other homes just in my neighborhood were completely gone.  When the authorities let us come back to the community four days later, we discovered that there was absolutely nothing left our home, including our pet, our cars, our photographs and movies of our children, our personal mementos, everything.  People began calling us asking if there was anything they could do to help.  We initially turned down the assistance and then realized we couldn't do it alone.  We opened ourselves to the opportunity to receive such help and as a result nearly a hundred friends and fellow recovering addicts and alcoholics showed up at our property and helped us sift for anything in the rubble that could be salvaged.  Although nothing was found, what was discovered was the value of friends and our loving supportive recovery community!  May you find solace in your bond with others living through not just the destruction of their community, but recovering from the wreckage resulting from their past addiction to alcohol and drugs.  That is where peace and resilience can be found.
Charlie N.

Betty Washington USA  
Our thoughts are with you. We know  that you will keep your courage, sobriety, and self confidence that you will sustain your committments to yourself through this MOST difficult time.
We are all in shock, support and I get tearful when thinking of the horror .
I have just heard there was yet another quake today. I worry for each of you!
Please know that you are in our thoughts, hearts and minds!
Keep you values, keep your strength, keep your sobriety, keep your love for each other and yourself! You will see a rainbow.

Jack F washington state USA 
 There is an extraordinary bond that exists between members of Alcoholics Anonymous and this is particularly evident in times of crisis.  When a member is close to relapsing we always step forward and do what is necessary to be of support and when fellow members are stricken with tragedy, such as that that occurred in Japan, we respond in any way that we can.  Our responses may take the form of prayers, donations and letters of support. I, personally, experienced this support when I had a medical crisis in 1985.
  In 1982 I celebrated 10 years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and life was very sweet. I had the most wonderful wife, was a regular at my gym and was doing the work that I loved. I attended many meetings and was involved in many aspects of A. A. service work. Tragedy struck in 1983 and I was diagnosed with incurable leukemia. I was hospitalized many times in the next year and the doctors gave me six months to live. As a final attempt to slow down the cancer, surgeons removed my spleen. I was very sick and weak, weighed less that 100 pounds and prospects of recovery were dim. As I lay in my hospital bed I would drift in and out of consciousness and when I was aware of my surroundings I would find a member of my A. A. home group by my bedside holding my hand offering support and prayers. I was most fortunate to survive my leukemia because of my involvement in a research program that worked on my form of cancer but the wonderful support and prayers of my fellow A. A. members played a huge role in giving me the resolve to recover from my illness.
  I want my fellow members of Alcoholics Anonymous in Japan who are suffering the aftereffects of the earthquake to know that we here in the U.S. are “holding your hand” by prayer and support.
  With love,
Jack F.

Debra Rincon Lopez Portland, OR USA 
I support all those in RECOVERY, I suffered with Addiction for 34 yrs. I am now living Sober lifestyle. It's hard work but if you really want it you can achieve it no matter what else is going on around you! I will stand by that!