Chris S.

Hello my name is Chris. I’m 45 years old. I have 3 amazing children and one grandchild. Started my life over at 40 . Started using drugs when I was 15 years old. Just smoking weed at first then moved on to other things. By 18 I was a meth addict. Lost complete control of my life. My job my marriage ruined everything. I ended up going to prison for manufacturing meth in 2001. From 2001 to 2018 I spent 15 years in prison for meth. 3 separate convictions. Last one did 9 years. No parole for repeat offender. That bid started in 2009 was released in 2018. In 2014 I was given the opportunity to become an inmate firefighter and it completely changed my life. I was saving lives instead of ruining them. I finally felt good about myself. In 2016 we were responding to a structure fire call and the driver lost control of the fire engine and it flipped twice and rolled 3 times. I was ejected out and the fire engine rolled over me crushing me into the ground. Broke my back. All the ribs on my left side. I had to have a flail chest surgery to rebuild my rib cage. Collapsed left lung. Both bones in my left shoulder broken. I laid in a bed and couldn’t walk for 6 months in a full body cast. Had to learn to walk again. I could never do the job that saved my life. Being a firefighter anymore but I’m here today. Clean with an amazing family a beautiful wife and an awesome job. My demons are behind me!! I love what yall are doing. Thank you Side note I was still doing drugs in prison whenever I could get them I trained for 3 months to pass the firefighter 1 test. And become a certified firefighter. I told a buddy of mine in prison I pass this test and become a firefighter I’m done with drugs. The test was July 3rd 2014. I made a 100 on it. And have never done drugs again. Clean 11 years now