I had the privilege of being the Spokesman and Emcee for this years "Rally Round Recovery 2011" event held in Downtown Joliet for the last 7 years. September is recognized nationally as "Recovery Month. I was humbled when asked to be the point man for this noble cause.
The Rally was scheduled for September 17, 2011 at Bicentennial Park in the heart of Joliet. It was a day dedicated to life in recovery. The park was filled with information booths covering drug and alcohol recovery resources as well as over eaters programs, health and fitness, a free mobil dental clinic, half-way houses, dancers, bands, Public Officials and me as the court jester and comic on tap.
Leading up to the rally one of the original warriors in drug and alcohol awareness, "Harvey's Pride" and my model for public service and show business, Tom Dreesen recorded PSA's for the event. Dreesen is relentless in his commitment to Chicago and public service. The day I was doing the Rally for Recovery he was in town promoting the importance of prostrate screening. I think I got the better end of the deal. Tom has been an inspiration and mentor, and I plan on making serving the community that has been so good to me a permanent part of my career.
A few weeks prior to the rally I received a proclamation from the Will County Board of Commissioners declaring September National Recovery Month and Recognizing the Rally event. I gave a speech. It was short and sweet focusing on the fact that addiction was a perfect democracy and equal opportunity killer. It does not discriminate against anyone. It wants you dead but will settle for you high. A week later there was another proclamation in front of the Joliet City Council and the Mayor.
I couldn't help but think that I had been with those same officials when I was in court for my first divorce that fell apart due to my alcoholism. I had been in the court rooms due to a DUI in 1992. Now I stood before the City Officials as a testament to the power and wonders of sobriety. It was humbling. I made a joke at the Commissioners proclamation that it was nice to be in front of such a distinguished body by invitation, not subpoena! They laughed. I half meant it. I had roamed those streets drunk or looking for drugs in years gone by. It was a surreal moment come full circle.
I have talked a lot about my wife Kris, whom I affectionately call Squeaky. Her kidney operation was scheduled for the 19th. Two days after the rally. We had been going through some rough patches up until that day. Just as we were pulling into the rally where I was to be "Celebrity Comic and Actor Tommy Connolly," we got into a fight. She was scared. I was scared. I have been doing a lot of community service work and working with recovering people and she has felt left out. It culminated with "maybe we spend some time apart after you recover from your surgery?"
That shows me how silly of an argument it was and that even though we were mad I would never leave her in a time of need. I would never leave her period, but tempers were flaring. She's Italian and I'm Irish and speaking our mind has never been a problem. I should have just let her vent. It was obvious that I would be taking time away from all of my other work while she was on the mend from surgery. I had prearranged all my appearances and film work to block out a few weeks to devote exclusively to my wife's recovery.
Prior to my hitting the stage I hugged her and said we were talking silly and that it was the pressure and strain of the surgery, the book release, the movie release of "Chasing Hollywood and the rally and we would be just fine. She agreed.
As a comic and actor no matter what mood your in when you hit the stage or set you are "ON." That is you
become a performer. All moods, distractions, sickness and pain are put aside and you entertain. I was off to the races and it was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining. The crowd was excited. It was difficult to share the experience we are having with Sunny's addiction issues. My wife was the one who shot me the look to go ahead and share our family struggle. She is doing better as of this writing.
It was great to see so many local and state officials who fight for alcohol, addiction and recovery legislation on hand for the event. Will and Grundy County are lucky to have public servants who truly care about their constituents. I was honored to meet Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, States Attorney James Glasgow, County Commissioner Ann Dralle, Representative Mike Turk, Judge Ray Nash, Larry Walsh, Jim Murphy from the Mayors office and many other fine elected officials who serve the people not their personal career goals.
33 months ago I was hungover. My wife was ready to leave me. I had no self respect. I was having panic attacks daily. I was drinking 24 plus beers daily. I could not, not drink. My family was in shambles my life was no life at all.
Fast forward to now. I am sober. I have dignity and can look any man in the eye. I have respect for myself and my fellows. I am a husband, father and friend who can be depended on. I am respected in the community. I have been able to catch my dreams in comedy, acting and as an author.
I take no credit for these things. God gave me a 635th chance. People in Recovery showed me how to live free of chemicals and live in the solution, not the problem. I have been able to help other young actors and comics as Tom Dreesen, Bill Brady and David Brenner did for me.
I have learned that this thing called life I am caught up in is not a solo act. I stayed sick alone so long because I tried to figure it out by myself for 28 years. In that condition it was impossible to use my sick mind to give myself sane advice. You can not do it alone. There is very little you can. We all need each other. If your having a bad day with yourself reach out to a friend or stranger you'll be amazed how quickly your day gets better when you have gotten out of your own head...My next stop was with Squeaky into the operating room and her kidney operation...
The Rally was scheduled for September 17, 2011 at Bicentennial Park in the heart of Joliet. It was a day dedicated to life in recovery. The park was filled with information booths covering drug and alcohol recovery resources as well as over eaters programs, health and fitness, a free mobil dental clinic, half-way houses, dancers, bands, Public Officials and me as the court jester and comic on tap.
Leading up to the rally one of the original warriors in drug and alcohol awareness, "Harvey's Pride" and my model for public service and show business, Tom Dreesen recorded PSA's for the event. Dreesen is relentless in his commitment to Chicago and public service. The day I was doing the Rally for Recovery he was in town promoting the importance of prostrate screening. I think I got the better end of the deal. Tom has been an inspiration and mentor, and I plan on making serving the community that has been so good to me a permanent part of my career.
A few weeks prior to the rally I received a proclamation from the Will County Board of Commissioners declaring September National Recovery Month and Recognizing the Rally event. I gave a speech. It was short and sweet focusing on the fact that addiction was a perfect democracy and equal opportunity killer. It does not discriminate against anyone. It wants you dead but will settle for you high. A week later there was another proclamation in front of the Joliet City Council and the Mayor.
I couldn't help but think that I had been with those same officials when I was in court for my first divorce that fell apart due to my alcoholism. I had been in the court rooms due to a DUI in 1992. Now I stood before the City Officials as a testament to the power and wonders of sobriety. It was humbling. I made a joke at the Commissioners proclamation that it was nice to be in front of such a distinguished body by invitation, not subpoena! They laughed. I half meant it. I had roamed those streets drunk or looking for drugs in years gone by. It was a surreal moment come full circle.
I have talked a lot about my wife Kris, whom I affectionately call Squeaky. Her kidney operation was scheduled for the 19th. Two days after the rally. We had been going through some rough patches up until that day. Just as we were pulling into the rally where I was to be "Celebrity Comic and Actor Tommy Connolly," we got into a fight. She was scared. I was scared. I have been doing a lot of community service work and working with recovering people and she has felt left out. It culminated with "maybe we spend some time apart after you recover from your surgery?"
That shows me how silly of an argument it was and that even though we were mad I would never leave her in a time of need. I would never leave her period, but tempers were flaring. She's Italian and I'm Irish and speaking our mind has never been a problem. I should have just let her vent. It was obvious that I would be taking time away from all of my other work while she was on the mend from surgery. I had prearranged all my appearances and film work to block out a few weeks to devote exclusively to my wife's recovery.
Prior to my hitting the stage I hugged her and said we were talking silly and that it was the pressure and strain of the surgery, the book release, the movie release of "Chasing Hollywood and the rally and we would be just fine. She agreed.
As a comic and actor no matter what mood your in when you hit the stage or set you are "ON." That is you
become a performer. All moods, distractions, sickness and pain are put aside and you entertain. I was off to the races and it was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining. The crowd was excited. It was difficult to share the experience we are having with Sunny's addiction issues. My wife was the one who shot me the look to go ahead and share our family struggle. She is doing better as of this writing.
It was great to see so many local and state officials who fight for alcohol, addiction and recovery legislation on hand for the event. Will and Grundy County are lucky to have public servants who truly care about their constituents. I was honored to meet Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, States Attorney James Glasgow, County Commissioner Ann Dralle, Representative Mike Turk, Judge Ray Nash, Larry Walsh, Jim Murphy from the Mayors office and many other fine elected officials who serve the people not their personal career goals.
33 months ago I was hungover. My wife was ready to leave me. I had no self respect. I was having panic attacks daily. I was drinking 24 plus beers daily. I could not, not drink. My family was in shambles my life was no life at all.
Fast forward to now. I am sober. I have dignity and can look any man in the eye. I have respect for myself and my fellows. I am a husband, father and friend who can be depended on. I am respected in the community. I have been able to catch my dreams in comedy, acting and as an author.
I take no credit for these things. God gave me a 635th chance. People in Recovery showed me how to live free of chemicals and live in the solution, not the problem. I have been able to help other young actors and comics as Tom Dreesen, Bill Brady and David Brenner did for me.
I have learned that this thing called life I am caught up in is not a solo act. I stayed sick alone so long because I tried to figure it out by myself for 28 years. In that condition it was impossible to use my sick mind to give myself sane advice. You can not do it alone. There is very little you can. We all need each other. If your having a bad day with yourself reach out to a friend or stranger you'll be amazed how quickly your day gets better when you have gotten out of your own head...My next stop was with Squeaky into the operating room and her kidney operation...
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