The McKenna family has found hope and healing from the impact of addiction.
“When Damien went in to 174 King, I had lost hope. I was looking for him to be someone else’s problem.”
When Eileen McKenna’s husband Damien entered House of Friendship’s men’s residential addiction treatment program, she was ready to move on. She was ready for a new chapter in her life. She never thought her family would be together again.
Now, Eileen, Damien and their two daughters, Mara and Kara, make a home together in Ayr. Mara and Kara play soccer, participate in dance and gymnastics, and look forward to family movie nights.
“I’m proud of the family I have now,” said Eileen.
During the first years of their marriage, however, home was often a battlefield, with ongoing fights over money, drinking and, ultimately, trust. Eileen did her best to shield her children, as well as Damien’s son, Jake, from the chaos.
Eventually, Damien was ready to seek treatment again. He had previously tried outpatient counselling programs, as well as a 21-day stint in rehab, but nothing had worked. This time, however, he was able to get a spot at House of Friendship’s men’s residential addiction treatment program.
When Eileen dropped Damien off, all she felt was relief. She could now make her home a safe place for her daughters, and finally have some peace.
It wasn’t until her first visit, about two weeks later, that she saw her first glimmer of hope. There, she met with a sober Damien for the first time in years. She saw glimpses of the man she had married.
During his time in the program, if Damien wanted to visit his family, he did so by bike. It would take him hours to travel from Waterloo to Ayr, but he did it without complaining.
“He was taking responsibility for himself, “said Eileen. “He had never done that before.”
Damien learned about integrity, about making good choices, about how to have healthy relationships. He had to keep a routine, something he had never done before. Making his bed each morning was a positive ritual.
After the residential program Damien continued to work on his relationship with his family. Slowly, the healing took place. Damien was able to come back home.
Eileen loves how her children now have the “freedom to be kids,” not burdened by their father’s addiction. “We are a very close family. I couldn’t have asked for a better life than I have today.”
