Help keep this amazing, transformative program alive!!!!
The Terminator Foundation changes lives and they need your help!!
My name is Ariel. I am a 44 year old woman and I am a recovering addict. My personal struggle with drugs dates back to my adolescence. After a 25 year long struggle with opiates and stimulants, I had hit rock bottom. Not my first rock bottom, but hopefully my last. I decided to go into a residential treatment facility, where I spent 6 months and am now almost 4.5 years clean.
After treatment, while living in a sober living house, I was given the opportunity to join the Terminator Foundation, sponsored by the treatment centre I had attended. I had never stepped foot in a gym before, never ran, hadn’t been on a bicycle since before the age of 15, and although I love to be in the pool, had never swam laps, and had forgotten the techniques of swimming properly. I was terrified when I first joined the program, but I persevered and I knew the program was designed to help people of all ages and abilities who struggle with mental health and addiction. Terminator provided me with everything I needed to participate. From running shoes, bathing suits, and bike shorts, to state of the art facilities to train in, and the most dedicated, positive, capable, and compassionate group of professional athletic coaches, recovery coaches, and peer support from other graduates of the program.
This program changed my life and the lives of every single participant that completed the program. I was given the opportunity to compete in 4 triathlons in one year, each one with the support of the phenomenal team at Terminator. The founder and executive director was by my side while I ran my very first full lap around the track and again when I hesitantly and fearfully got on a road bike for the first time in my life. Over the span of 14 weeks, we trained 5 days a week, and learned the 3 disciplines of triathlon, culminating in a mini sprint triathlon celebration event.
This is not just a workout program. We checked in at the beginning and end of the sessions to name our emotions get a sense of how we were feeling before and after the training sessions. We had access to and support from our athletic coaches and recovery coaches as needed and were taught that no one has to go through this alone. Every 3 weeks we had a recovery week for physical and mental rest, the workouts were modified and we spent quality time as a group working on and discussing recovery topics like nutrition, self care, and sleep hygiene.
The sense accomplishment experienced by not only committing to something, but also following it through to completion is immeasurable. I felt a sense of comeraderie as we cheered each other on and spent time with other peers in recovery, building community and lasting friendships.
JUST SHOW UP!!! Simple as that, and Terminator takes care of the rest. I learned accountability, how to show up not only for others, but also for myself. After completing the program twice and attending the then summer flex program, I was able to continue my journey with Terminator as peer support and also attend alumni events to stay connected to the group. I was able to help others through the program and see the transformation first hand. I am a firm believer in Activity Based Recovery Therapy as one of the leading forms of treatment for mental health and addiction and I believe that this treatment modality will one day be widely accepted and financially supported by the government. For now, they need our help. Please please help!! Anything big or small, every dollar helps to make a difference in the lives of so many.
I'm raising money to keep the Terminator Foundation operational. I cannot stress enough that this program changes lives. Any donation will help make an impact.
Thank you all for your generous contribution to this cause that means so much to so many.
THE TRUTH IS WE CAN RECOVER
Click the link below to read more about my personal journey. The Epoch times wrote an article about me. If the link doesn’t work, you can copy and paste it into your browser. You can read the email for free, they just ask for an email address.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/world/from-homelessness-to-triathlons-an-alberta-womans-fight-to-overcome-addictions-5635526
Click the link below to see the devastating news coverage about the potential closure of Terminator.
Organizer
Ariel Hornstein
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Terminator Foundation
Beneficiary