06/04/2026
The past several months have been some of the most challenging of my life.
Multiple surgeries, extended hospitalizations, sepsis, a perforated colon, liver complications, and a long recovery have kept me away from much of the advocacy and recovery work I love. Yet through every setback, I was reminded exactly why Setbacks to Comebacks exists.
Many of you know my story. Following a military injury, I was prescribed opioids after surgery and eventually developed a long-term dependence that impacted every aspect of my life. Recovery gave me a second chance and inspired me to found Setbacks to Comebacks so I could help others find hope, healing, and support.
Recently, I found myself back in a hospital bed facing major surgeries and difficult decisions about pain management. Nearly a decade after overcoming opioid dependence, I was once again advocating for the same safe pain management options I have spent years fighting to expand for others.
What surprised me most was that I often found myself educating members of my own healthcare team about available non-opioid alternatives. I shared my history, explained why avoiding opioids was important to me, and even provided educational materials about treatment options many patients may never know exist.
That experience reinforced something we have been saying for years: we still have a long way to go in educating both providers and patients about safe, effective non-opioid pain management options.
One of the greatest victories I have been privileged to be part of through my work with Voices for Non-Opioid Choices was the passage and implementation of the NOPAIN Act. That legislation expanded access to non-opioid pain management for millions of Americans and proved that advocacy can create meaningful change.
But my recent experiences also showed me how much work remains.
Even after receiving a prescription for a non-opioid alternative when I was discharged, I encountered another barrier when the VA healthcare system ultimately declined coverage for the medication.
As a veteran, that was frustrating.
As an advocate, it was a reminder that our mission is far from complete.
Every day, veterans, seniors, and families across America continue to face pain management decisions. They deserve to know all of their options. They deserve access to treatments that can effectively manage pain while reducing the risk of opioid dependence and addiction.
That is why I continue to support two important pieces of legislation:
🇺🇸 The NOPAIN for Veterans Act (S. 3209) – expanding access to safe, effective non-opioid pain management options for veterans receiving care through the VA.
👵 The Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act (S. 475) – expanding access to non-opioid pain management options for seniors enrolled in Medicare.
If you would like to help support these efforts, please take a moment to contact your elected officials through this advocacy portal:
https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/NonOpioids/Campaigns
Advocacy from patients, families, healthcare professionals, veterans, and community members helped make the NOPAIN Act a reality. Together, we can continue moving this work forward.
While recovery has been slow, I am getting stronger every day. I am also preparing for my next chapter by returning to college to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse. My goal is to continue advocating for policy change, improving veteran healthcare, expanding community outreach, supporting recovery, and helping educate future generations about addiction prevention and safer pain management options.
Recovery has taught me that our setbacks do not define us.
How we respond to them does.
These past several months have tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally, but they have also strengthened my resolve and reminded me why this mission matters.
The comeback continues.
đź’™ Recovery is possible.
đź’™ Hope is real.
đź’™ And together, we can help ensure that future generations have safer choices before addiction ever starts.
