Laura & Alans Journey Through Addiction

Laura McDonald is organizing this fundraiser.

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I’m asking for help so I can be there for my son Alan.

Right now, Alan is living on the precipice. If he doesn’t access healing and recovery soon, he may not be here much longer. He is in and out of the hospital nearly every month with a severe bleeding ulcer, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, and other dangerous infections.

While I know I cannot hold expectations or control the outcome, I will never give up hope—and I will always do everything within my power to help him.

The current state of his addiction and health keeps him from being able to do much for himself. He wants treatment and healing, yet in his condition, there are so many gaps in his ability to make it happen.

In being present with him, I’ll be able to:

Take him to doctor’s appointments
Help him connect with a new outreach worker (his previous one moved and he hasn’t been able to replace them)
Ensure he’s at his phone for intake appointments
Make sure he takes daily probiotics, supplements, and any needed medications to support his bleeding ulcer, which could be fatal if left untreated

Most of all, be the mother I couldn’t be when I was lost in addiction during his childhood—a presence that could be healing for us both

Recovery is possible. I’m living proof.

For over 25 years, starting when I was just 14, I battled heavy addiction, mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, and even occasions of homelessness —all stemming from unresolved trauma. Now, after deep healing and sobriety, I dedicate my life to helping others do the same.

Today, I work with mothers of children in addiction, helping them find peace amidst chaos—because addiction doesn’t just affect the individual, it affects entire families. I also plan to return to school this fall to deepen my education and work directly with those in addiction.

My ability to sit with my son in the way I’m preparing for will directly support the work I do for others, too. This experience will ripple outward.

Throughout this journey, I’ll continue to share our story— To show hard truths about addiction . To share what it’s like to actually hold peace in the chaos. To model what I teach other mothers every day.

This journey is deeply personal—but it’s also part of something bigger. A ripple effect of healing I know will reach other mothers who feel lost and alone.

If you want to understand the impact a mother’s perseverance can have, I encourage you to watch the film “Four Good Days”— based on a true story that powerfully reflects the complexities of addiction and hope.

Details of My Stay:

Alan lives about 10 hours away with a BC Ferry ride—I’ll be taking my van, which allows me to be self-contained
The van is old, so needs a tune-up and heating repairs to safely make it through the mountain passes
I’d love to stay in a campground instead of roadsides this time, to better care for myself and allow space to continue offering support work remotely
I’m aiming to stay for at least 4 weeks, up to 8 weeks.

Your Support Helps With:

Fuel and ferry costs
Campground stays so I can remain safe and grounded
Van tune-up and heating repair
A mattress for my van
Daily probiotics and supplements for Alan to calm his bleeding ulcer

While my current work supports my basic needs and bills, it doesn’t yet allow for extra travel or care expenses. Due to recent illness, I couldn’t work for several years, and though I’m healing now, my capacity to work remains limited. I have sought work that I could do without success, and am actively focused on both physical and financial healing – I have faith I’ll soon be able to support future trips on my own.

But right now, I don’t know how much time my son has left without support—and that’s why I’m asking for help again right now.

Even if what I do now doesn’t change his path, I know this time together will offer us both more peace as he navigates the darkness of addiction that so many are facing.

Whether you donate or simply share this, I’m so deeply grateful.

Thank you for believing in healing.

Thank you for walking with me as I show up for my son.

The stories we share can offer hope. And both Alan and I are open to sharing ours—because this is part of our story. We don’t know how it will end… but all I can do is keep showing up the best I can.

With love and gratitude,

Laura