CHUCK WILLIAMS’ MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR  COURAGE TO THOSE BATTLING ALCOHOLISM

During these extraordinarily hard days, with the Coronavirus necessitatingdistancing and isolation, those who combat alcohol or substance abuse, are trying to protect themselves at all times against these cruel  demons just as much as the pandemonium of Covid 19.

Three years ago, Chuck Williams did  an interview with James Blears about the monumental effort it takes to defeat alcoholism and the willpower to keep it in check.

With the radically altered landscape we now survey, and  all of it’s exacerbating factors, this article remains a starkly pertinent and relevant reminder yet also a beacon of hope, through the redemption of courage and inspiration..  A ring of bright water.

It’s central message is for fighters of life.  You may get knocked down, but it’s the getting up and fighting back, which will win you the battle.  The GREATJack Dempsey said: “A champion Is someone who gets up when they can’t!”

Chuck wants to send a message to those who are facing this current challenge via conflict with trepidation One of its most important threads  is that you are not alone. And  a problem shared Is a problem halved.

There we were…and here we are:

World Boxing Council Board of Governor Member Chuck Williams, who’s the organizing Dynamo coordinating and insuring that each and every WBC annual Convention superb, emotive, smooth running  and memorable triumph, won’t toast this success with a stiff              drink!

Chuck is marking forty eight of KO’ing the wretched grip of alcoholism, by explaining in frank, honest, unvarnished, admirable terms, the terrible toll this awful illness can and does exact. And…the ongoing determination of those afflicted, must summon up to expel it and to forever keep it at bay, via arm’s length through willpower.

A lesser person, might well have quietly marked down this milestone anniversary in their diary, or celebrated with a private family dinner. So typical of Chuck that he chose to outline and underline his ongoing victory, by baring and sharing his story of strife, transforming into healing due to a tremendous fight back, revealing uncomfortable home truths, which takes a candid honesty and sheer guts.

Knowing and admiring his  courage, our President Mauricio Sulaiman, asked Chuck to share his experiences, to lead the way in providing inspiration to those who are suffering  and battling this terrible addiction, who’s deadly grip can choke anyone…bar none! This is the story of a marathon struggle which, rather than incapsulating  just one day of revelation, involves one intrepid day at a time.

Tough questions, produced  brave, unflinching  and honest answers from a man who typifies the saying: “What you see is what you get.”

1. What were the origins of your problems with alcohol?

INTERESTING QUESTION … I HAVE FOUND FROM RESEARCH ALCOHOLISM IS A VERY COMPLICATED ILLNESS (ADDICTION) IN THAT IT IS PROBABLY GENETICALLY LINKED WITH POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS … AS A RESULT OF GROWING UP IN AN ABUSIVE/DYSFUNCTIONAL HOME WITH TIME SPENT IN FOSTER HOMES AND AN ORPHANAGE IN NEW YORK UNTIL AGE 14

IN MY CASE, BOTH MY GENETIC PARENTS WERE SERIOUS ALCOHOLICS: GENETIC MOTHER PASSED AT AGE 45 – GENETIC FATHER PASSED AT AGE 65 … AND I TURN 86 SUNDAY, MAY 24 … SO SUBMITTING FOR TREATMENT IN 1972 SAVED MY LIFE …

A MD RESEARCHER IN THE HOSPITAL (SCHICK SHADEL HOSPITAL IN SEATTLE TOLD ME HE BELIEVES A PERSON SUFFERING ADDICTION IS POSSIBLY MISSING AN ENZYME AT BIRTH SIMILAR TO DIABETES. THE BODY CANNOT ASSIMILATE THE ALCOHOL WHEN CONSUMED.

2. When did you realize you had a serious problem,  which you needed to confront, battle and overcome?

I WAS CONFUSED ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING AS TO WHY I COULD NOT DRINK AND BE LIKE MOST PEOPLE, IT SEEMED ONCE I TOOK A DRINK MOST OF THE TIME I COULD NOT STOP AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT I BECAME VERY AGGRESSIVE AND GOT INTO FIGHTS … FOR SOME REASON VERY RARELY GUYS MY SIZE … USUALLY MUCH BIGGER GUYS … GUESS I WANTED THE COMPETITION OR HAD A DEATH WISH.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN THE NAVY AT ABOUT 18 YEARS OF AGE I ALMOST KILLED A GUY WHO USED TO BULLY ME … A GROUP OF US WERE DRINKING “TORPEDOES”  PURE ALCOHOL MIXED WITH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE (BEING A MEDIC WE HAD ACCESS TO THE ALCOHOL) … HE STARTED HIS USUAL BULLYING AND APPARENTLY (MANY TIMES I WOULD NOT REMEMBER THINGS WHEN I GOT SOBER THE NEXT DAY) I DOVE ACROSS AT HIM AND STARTED REINING PUNCHES ON HIM BREAKING SEVERAL BONES IN HIS FACE AND A SERIOUS CONCUSSION …

I AWOKE THE NEXT DAY IN A PADDED ROOM IN THE PSYCH WARD (THANK GOD I WAS A MEDIC AS WE COVERED FOR OUR OWN) – ANYONE ELSE WOULD HAVE HAD A REPORT AND POSSIBLY A MEDICAL DISCHARGE FROM THE SERVICE …THAT WOULD HAVE RUINED MY LIFE … GOD TOOK CARE OF ME …

NEXT DAY ONE OF MY MATES CAUTIOUSLY CRACKED OPEN THE DOOR AND ASKED “ARE YOU OK?” … I SAID “YEH, WHAT AM I DOING IN HERE?” AS I DID NOT REMEMBER MUCH FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHICH WAS NOT UNUSUAL WHEN I WOULD DRINK MYSELF INTO OBLIVION …

ONE OTHER STORY, WHEN I WAS ABOUT 22 YEARS OLD I WAS ARRESTED FOR BEING DRUNK AND DISORDERLY AT 3AM IN THE BRONX, NY AND INSTEAD OF TAKING ME TO THE PRECINCT THE COP TOOK ME TO VAN CORTLAND PARK IN THE BRONX AND WHILE DRIVING LOOKED AT ME IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAID “I’M GOING TO TEACH YOU, YOU PUNK” AND IN MY MIND I SAID TO MYSELF “YEAH RIGHT!” F… Y.., WHEN WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR HE PUNCHED ME IN THE JAW WHICH I RODE DOWN (I HAD OVER 300 FIGHTS IN THE RING MOSTLY IN THE ORPHANAGE SO FELT CONFIDENT IN TAKING CARE OF MYSELF AND I WEIGHED 160# COMING OUT OF THE NAVY AND IN GREAT SHAPE) … ANYWAY, GOT UP AND NAILED THE COP WITH A  RIGHT AND HE WENT DOWN … THEN ANOTHER COP CAR ARRIVED THANK GOD AND THEY TOOK ME DOWN TO A JAIL CALLED “THE TOMBS” … ONLY PLACE IN NYC WORSE IS RIKERS ISLAND … THIS WAS 1956 AND COST ME $500 FOR MY “OLD MAN” TO PAY OFF SOMEONE IN RECORDS TO TEAR UP THE REPORT, (NO COMPUTERS IN THOSE DAYS) OTHERWISE FOR EVERY JOB APPLICATION I WOULD HAVE PUT DOWN ON THE QUESTION “HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED”: ANSWER – YES

PUNCHING A COP IS A FELONY SO THERE ARE JOBS DURING MY CAREER I’M SURE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HIRED … I’M CERTAINLY NOT PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER IN MY LIFE. BUT SUFFICE TO SAY IT WAS ONE OF MANY HARD LESSONS

3. Why is it so hard for a person who is an alcoholic to admit it?

IT IS VERY EMBARRASSING WHEN PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE AROUND YOU WHEN YOU ARE AT A POINT YOU INSULT AND/OR PHYSICALLY ATTACK PEOPLE … ALSO WHEN BARS “86 YOU”  MEANING THEY WON’T LET YOU IN FOR PAST INDISCRETIONS

YOU TRY NOT TO LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW WHEN THEY SUGGEST A CERTAIN BAR YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED IN … USUALLY JUST SAY “I DON’T LIKE THAT PLACE ANYMORE”

3. What were the manifestations of your addiction…you said fists would fly?

VERY COMPLICATED QUESTIONS LIKE “WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG”?

AS MENTIONED, COULD BE GENETIC, MISSING AN ENZYME, RESULT OF CHILD ABUSE, WATCHING ALL THE DYSFUNCTION AS A CHILD … ALL COULD BE PART AND PARCEL WHY I WOULD GO “HAYWIRE” WHEN DRINKING EXCESSIVELY … PLUS BEING IRISH AND WELSH I HAD A BAD TEMPER IN THOSE DAYS … INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF MY NEGATIVE ACTIONS I GUESS I WOULD TRY AND BURY THEM IN BOOZE?

4. What was the nadir,  but also the moment epiphany for you?

TRUE QUESTION – LOWEST POINTS … THERE WERE MANY AS I IMAGINE WITH OTHERS WHO ABUSE DRUGS (ALCOHOL IS A DRUG WHEN ABUSED JUST AS BAD AS COCAINE OR HEROIN) – SOME OF THE KEYS AS MENTIONED IS PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO BE AROUND ME WHEN MY DRINKING WOULD START GETTING OUT OF CONTROL … LOSS OF JOBS … LOSS OF RELATIONSHIPS ESPECIALLY WOMEN … I’M SURE I THREW AWAY SOME FANTASTIC LADIES WHO WOULD HAVE MADE GREAT LIFE PARTNERS … I THINK OF THAT FROM TIME TO TIME

THE EPIPHANY – WHEN A FORMER BOSS AND FRIEND DAVID (CLOSE AS A BROTHER) WANTED ME TO RETURN TO THE FIRM I LEFT TO START MY OWN BUT HE SAID ONLY ON THE CONDITION I WAS NOT DRINKING …

WE WERE HAVING LUNCH AT A PLACE IN WASHINGTON, DC “THE GOLDEN PARROT” AND I RAISED MY WHISKY SOUR AND SAID “LETS HAVE A GREAT LUNCH” IN OTHER WORDS “SCREW YOU” … HE RESPONDED “CHUCK, YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED PEOPLE I’VE EVER KNOWN AND YOU ARE THROWING IT AWAY WITH BOOZE … LETS FACE IT WE BOTH HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL … I KNOW A PLACE IN SEATTLE TREATING ALCOHOL AND OTHER ADDICTIONS (SCHICK SHADEL’S HOSPITAL) WITH A 67% RATE OF SUCCESS … WILL YOU GO WITH ME” …

IT WAS LIKE A MESSAGE FROM ABOVE AS I KNEW I NEEDED HELP SO I SAID “YES” … FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TRY AND PUT PEOPLE THEY CARE ABOUT INTO TREATMENT FACILITIES AND MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK … IT WON’T WORK UNTIL THE PERSON ADDICTED IS READY

DAVID GOT UP FROM THE TABLE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR US TO GO THE NEXT DAY (THIS IS A GUY RUNNING A COMPANY WITH 102 EMPLOYEES) …

THE REST OF THE STORY OF THIS RECOVERY YOU WILL HAVE TO READ IN MY BOOK (TITLE MIGHT BE “A TEAR IN MY HEART/TRIUMPH OF THE SPIRIT”) – ABOUT PEOPLE IN LIFE WHO KEEP GETTING KNOCKED DOWN BUT REFUSE TO QUIT AND KEEP GETTING UP SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN MY MIND SAYING I HAVE TO GET STARTED TO CHANGE MY BEHAVIOR … SUFFICE TO SAY IT WORKED 48 YEARS AGO (MARCH/1972) THE DATE I WAS REBORN

5. What was the type of treatment you had to undergo, how long was it  and how tough was it?

IT WAS 3 MONTHS WITH INTENSIVE TREATMENT FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN RETURNING FOR A WEEKEND ONCE FOR EACH OF THE NEXT 2 MONTHS …

EVERY OTHER DAY DURING THE INITIAL 2 WEEKS REGURGITATING FOR 4 HOURS WHILE DRINKING WITH CHEMICALS ADDED SO DEEP YOU WOULD BRING UP BILE (WHICH IS GREEN) AND EVERY OTHER DAY SODIUM PENTOTHAL (COMMONLY KNOWN AS TRUTH SERUM) INJECTED … THE TECHNICIAN ASKS QUESTIONS YOU DON’T REMEMBER WHEN YOU WAKE UP TO SEE IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY DEEP SEEDED PROBLEMS RESULTING IN WHY YOU ARE ABUSING ALCOHOL …

I WHEN I AWOKE FROM THE TREATMENT I WAS CRYING LIKE A BABY (THIS IS A PROUD GUY IN HIS EARLY 30’S – A COUPLE NURSES CAME IN TRYING TO CONSOLE ME AND GENTLY RUBBED MY SHOULDER SAYING “IT IS OK CHUCK, YOU ARE GOING TO BE OK … NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM I WAS EMBARRASSED AND CONFUSED … I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN WHO CONDUCTED THE TREATMENT “WHAT DID WE DISCUSS THAT UPSET ME SO MUCH?” … SHE SAID “DID YOUR FATHER BRUTALLY BEAT YOU AS A LITTLE BOY?” … RELUCTANTLY, I SAID “YES” … SHE SAID, “YOU HAD THOSE MEMORIES BURIED DEEP FOR OVER 20 YEARS, WOULD YOU SOMETIMES BE DRINKING WITH A LADY AND YOU WOULD START TO CRY SEEMINGLY FOR NO REASON?” MY RESPONSE “YES, BUT NOT OFTEN”  (VERY HARD TO ADMIT BUT REALIZING I CAN ONLY BE HELPED IF I AM BRUTALLY HONEST DURING THE TREATMENT) … SHE SAID “NOW THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH IT I THINK YOU WILL FIND YOU CAN DISCUSS IT AND NOT BECOME OVERLY EMOTIONAL” … AND THAT HAPPENED … (ONLY SHARING THIS PART OF THE STORY AS I’M SURE OTHERS SUFFERING ADDICTION HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES)

READ THE REST IN MY BOOK UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW … I’M RECOGNIZING THIS NARRATIVE IS PROBABLY LONGER THAN YOU WANT OR EXPECTED …

I JUST THINK IF I’M GOING TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE ADDICTION/ILLNESS I HAVE TO SHARE SOME VERY PERSONAL ISSUES DURING MY ODYSSY WHICH INCLUDES THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVES DURING MY JOURNEY …

6. Is it possible to drink at all now …for example a glass of white wine….or must it be total abstinence from alcohol?

I’VE BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST 48 YEARS … MY ANSWER:

I’M CONFIDENT I COULD HAVE A GLASS OF WINE WITH A MEAL … I’VE CHOSEN NOT TO AS I DO NOT WANT TO RISK FALLING DOWN “THE DEEP DARK HOLE” AGAIN …

THE PAST 48 YEARS HAVE BEEN THE HAPPIEST OF MY LIFE (WITHOUT THE BOOZE) EVEN THOUGH DURING MY ADDICTION I’VE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF JOBS, LOVED ONES (SOME VERY SPECIAL LADIES WHICH I CONSIDER A GIFT AS I WOULD NOT WANT TO HURT THEM EMOTIONALLY DURING MY ADDICTION) PUTTING THEM THROUGH MY HELL … LIKE MANY PEOPLE I HAVE HAD MY CHALLENGES SUCH AS CANCER (HAD SURGERY 21 YEARS AGO AND NOW CANCER FREE) … RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION IN MY RIGHT EYE … GETTING A NEEDLE IN MY EYE EVERY 5 WEEKS TO SLOW DOWN THE DISEASE AS THERE IS NO CURE … MY ATTITUDE … JUST ANOTHER BATTLE I HAVE TO FIGHT AND I EXPECT TO WIN WHATEVER THAT MEANS …

I AM TRULY AWARE THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE FOUGHT HARDER BATTLES THAN ME SO I’M NOT COMPLAINING OR FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF

THERE WERE TIMES DURING THE 48 YEARS GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE NEGATIVE STUFF DESCRIBED ABOVE I THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING DRUNK … THANK GOD FOR HIS HELP AND BLESSING (IN ADDITION TO THE TREATMENT I FEEL PRAYER ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS AND STRENGTH TO CHANGE I HAD A STRONG RESOLVE NOT TO DRINK) …

I’VE TOLD FRIENDS IF YOU EVER HEAR I’M DRINKING IT MEANS I HAVE GIVEN UP AND AM COMMITTING SUICIDE … AND THAT IS THE TRUTH … NOT WORRIED AS I DO NOT GIVE UP … NOTE TO THOSE READING THIS WHO ARE FIGHTING THE BATTLE OF ADDICTION OR THOSE WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE FIGHTING THE BATTLE IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE ILLNESS AND SEEK HELP AND GUIDANCE FROM WITHIN YOUR FAITH. REMEMBER, YOU CAN’T HELP SOMEONE UNTIL THEY ARE READY

7. Why do so many boxers suffer with alcoholism during, but especially after the career is over?

DURING THEIR CAREER (ALTHOUGH AS YOU KNOW SOME ABUSE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS DURING THEIR CAREERS AND LIKE ME ARE FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLICS) CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WITHOUT OUR ADDICTIONS???

AFTER THEIR CAREERS THEY NO LONGER HAVE THE DISCIPLINE OF ABSTENTION THEY HAD DURING THEIR MANY HOURS OF GRUELING TRAINING PREPARING FOR A FIGHT …

THERE ARE THOSE LIKE OUR FRIEND JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, SR. WHO DECIDED TO GET OFF THE ROAD OF SELF DESTRUCTION AFTER HE RETIRED TO FIGHT THE HARDEST BATTLE, TOUGHER THAN ANY HE FACED IN THE RING …

NOW CLEAN JULIO LOOKS GREAT AFTER DEALING WITH HIS DEMONS OF ADDICTION BY SHOWING THE INNER STRENGTH HE HAS AND HE SHOWED WHEN HE WAS COMPETING IN THE RING AS ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME …

8. Julio  Cesar Chavez struggled exceptionally hard to defeat this demon- the most vicious and

unrelenting opponent he ever faced.  You were able to talk to him about his battle.  What did the two of you discuss?

YOU ARE RIGHT … WHEN I SEE JULIO WHO I ADMIRE AND RESPECT,  I TELL HIM  HOW GREAT HE LOOKS AND THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR HIM IN FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT WE BOTH HAVE BATTLED DURING OUR ADDICTIONS … JULIO IS A VERY PROUD STRONG WILLED MAN

HE JUST GIVES ME THAT WARM JULIO SMILE WHILE GIVING ME AN ABRAZO … IT IS A MUTUAL RESPECT WHICH ONLY THOSE OF US WHO HAVE WALKED DOWN THE DARK ROAD OF ADDICTION CAN UNDERSTAND …

9. Many people who battle  with alcohol excess and  are also depressed,  feel that they themselves are beyond help and there`s no light at the end of the tunnel.  How can you encourage and inspire them otherwise?

A FAMOUS BASEBALL PLAYER YOGI BERRA, CATCHER FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES WAS QUOTED “IT’S NEVER OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER” … SAME AS ADDICTIONS … IT IS NEVER OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER … IT IS LIKE BOXING … YOU MAY GET KNOCKED DOWN MANY TIMES, JUST KEEP GETTING UP AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT

SOME PEOPLE FIGHTING ADDICTIONS KEEP FALLING DOWN DURING THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY (MY FRIEND DAVID WHO WENT FOR TREATMENT WITH ME AT HIS SUGGESTION DID NOT MAKE IT WHICH SADDENS ME TO THIS DAY)

AS THE OLD ADAGE STATES: IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES ONE GETS KNOCKED DOWN …

JUST KEEP GETTING UP UNTIL YOU FINALLY WIN …

MANY SUCCEED AND SOME DON’T … I FEEL GREAT EMPATHY AND SADNESS FOR THOSE WHO DON’T MAKE IT … VERY SAD FOR THEM, THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHERS WHO LOVE THEM …

10. It`s been 48 years since you KO`d alcoholism.  Do you ever crave for an alcoholic drink now and if so, how do you counterpunch that urge?

I CAN’T SAY I HAVE AN URGE TO DRINK ALTHOUGH A GLASS OF WINE WITH A MEAL HAS BEEN TEMPTING … I’VE MADE THE DECISION NOT TO TAKE A CHANCE IN AWAKENING THE EVIL DEVIL OF ADDICTION THAT IS STILL PROBABLY SLEEPING INSIDE ME

WHEN DINING WITH FRIENDS SOMETIMES I ASK IF I CAN SMELL THE FRAGRANCE OF THEIR RED WINE … NEVER HAD A STRONG URGE TO TASTE …

SO I JUST KEEP WALKING MY PATH OF HAPPINESS AND A SENSE OF “YES!!!!” LIKE WHEN I FINALLY DEFEATED A KID IN THE RING IN THE ORPHANAGE AT ABOUT AGE 11 WHO HAD BEATEN ME ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR UNTIL I WAS SHOWN HOW TO BEAT HIM:

JAB, JAB, JAB FOLLOWED BY RIGHT CROSS … UP TO THAT POINT HE WAS LIKE PERNELL WHITAKER AND I COULD HARDLY LAY A GLOVE ON HIM … ONCE I BEAT HECTOR TAYLOR (I  WILL NEVER FORGET HIM IF I LIVE TO BE 120)  HE WOULD NOT GET BACK IN THE RING WITH ME …

THE ANALOGY IS ONCE I TAKE THAT GLASS OF WINE I BECOME THAT KID AND CHUCK WILLIAMS LOSES … IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

11. What is the message you want to get across to the many people who daily suffer with alcohol dependence?

LIKE THE FAMOUS NORTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL COACH JIM VALVANO (KNOWN AS JIMMY V) FAMOUSLY SAID DURING A SPEECH AT THE ESPN ESPYS YEARS AGO WHILE HE WAS FIGHTING CANCER WHICH FINALLY CLAIMED HIS LIFE …

“DON’T EVER GIVE UP … DON’T EVER GIVE UP”! … THAT IS HOW WE BEAT ANY NEGATIVE SITUATION IN OUR LIFE … “DON’T EVER GIVE UP”!!! AND AS I TELL KIDS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE … “USE THE BAD/SAD TIMES IN LIFE TO MAKE THE GOOD TIMES BETTER AND IT WILL ALWAYS GET BETTER

I THANK YOU AND HOPE THIS HELPS SOME FIGHTING THE BATTLE OF ADDICTION WHICH ONLY WE CAN DEFEAT WHEN FINALLY READY … FORCING SOMEONE TO ENTER A FACILITY DOES NOT WORK … THE PERSON HAS TO BE READY RECOGNIZING THEY NEED AND WANT HELP … I KNOW I HAVE SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES ONLY BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT AND TRUE … BIGGEST MESSAGE “JUST KEEP GETTING UP AND FIGHT IT”

EXPECT SOME WILL READ THIS WITH SOME LIKING AND RESPECTING WHAT THEY READ AND SOME HAVING THE OPPOSITE REACTION … SO BE IT … MY ONLY CONCERN IS FOR MY BRETHREN FIGHTING THE BATTLE AND HOPING FOR THEM SHARING MY SUCCESS … MAY THEIR GOD WALK THE PATH WITH THEM

I HAVE SHARED WHAT IS IN MY HEART WITH THE PUREST OF INTENT TO JUST HELP THOSE FIGHTING ONE OF THE TOUGHEST BATTLES A HUMAN CAN FACE …

IT IS JUST ONE DAY AT A TIME AND ONE MUST KEEP THE COMMITMENT ONE MAKES TO ONESELF TO “NEVER GIVE UP”

GOD BLESS YOU JAMES … CAN’T BELIEVE I SHARED SOME OF THE ABOVE … Chuck