Love 4 Reese Love

Hello Everyone,

Please Please Please. I need your help with this...

I've decided to stage an intervention for my big sister Reese. The most caring, loving, passionate, soul I've ever met. And maybe to a fault.


For the past 2+ years she's hidden her severe drug addiction. Her drug of choice... Heroin.

For as long as I can remember it has been my sister and I.

I've seen her from her best and brightest all the way to her deepest and darkest where no one has ever seen her before. Or so I thought... 


About a year ago I realized something was off. After I left home 7 years ago to move to California, we would talk on the phone every other day. We'd swap tails and adventures until suddenly those calls became fewer and further in between. I would ask if she was drunk because she clearly sounded intoxicated, but she would assure me that she hadn't had any alcohol or smoked or used any drugs since my nephew was born. 


There aren't very many good photos of Kristopher or any photos at all. Documenting his, or her own life for that matter, and sharing it with the world has ceased to be a priority. And he's the brightest most beautiful 4.5 year old you've ever seen. I want to see and speak with him EVERYDAY, but lack of communication prevents that.


It was acts like lying, begging for money, falling into the wrong crowd wrought with drugs and violence, and her overall withdrawal from her closest family and friends, to name a few without divulging too much of her unfortunate life choices, that had me beg my Father, and 2 Aunts to stage an intervention over a year ago.

I knew something was wrong then. But no one believed me. They all chalked it up to her being "her." And she thought she could get over on me because "I wasn't there." Drugs will really have you believe that you can outsmart the world. What she fails to realize is that when it comes to her... I can't be outsmarted. Our bond is too strong. 


We're soul mates. As a kid, I didn't make a move until my big sister Reese did. We used to be joined at the hips. We've shared beds and toothbrushes. Evictions and tears. She's been there for me on countless occasions, even and especially the ones I dare not talk about.


And all I want to do is be there for her. Now.


I began production on a reimagined music video for the song "When Love Broke Thru ," by TobyMac, that showcased 3 significant events in my life where she was my hero. I knew she would immediately recognize these stories, as these are the ones she retells year after year. The end of the video would have concluded with a compilation of photos that I started gathering on Wed March 1st from our closest family and friends. I created a private facebook group and asked fam to send me photos of them holding a blank white sheet of paper. On the blank sheet I would superimpose phrases of love and hope and offerings of help and support. 


Which brings me to why I'm here asking for your help.

Unfortunately the plans for a video for her intervention have come to a screeching halt. On the very next morning, Thursday March 2nd, my sister found her son's father dead from an overdose, in their home. My heart breaks for her and what she had to witness. As I write this, I am still moving forward with plans for the photo compilation video, but there is no longer any time left to get fancy and shoot an actual video. I need to move now. 

So far, no one knows if his death is a wake up call for her or if she will spiral into a deeper, darker hole. I have to get to Virginia ASAP, and bring her and my nephew back with me in order for her to enter into a drug rehabilitation program here in Los Angeles, California. I'm tired of sitting around and not doing anything. I can't sit back and witness event after event unfold in her life and continue to be "hands off" anymore. At first I thought my Father and 2 Aunts' lack of trying came from the fact that they didn't care as much as I did. But as I embark on this journey I'm realizing that it's not very easy. At times I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into. I'm doubting my ability to make waves of change. As I proceed in spite of my own fears, I'm recognizing that it wasn't love that my Father and 2 Aunts lacked. They lacked an actual plan. 


I have contacted a few rehab centers and the average cost for a modest facility will be about $8,000 for a 30- day, inpatient detox and treatment. I'd also need to buy tickets for the 3 of us, myself, my sister, and my nephew for travel on the next day after she agrees to enter treatment. I'm told by ex-users that if an addict agrees somehow to treatment, don't waste any time. Have a plan, and move quickly before they have a chance to change their minds. 

I'd also love to help my father in the cost of caring for Kristopher for the month while Reese receives treatment and starts to get back on her feet again.

And I need your help for all of this. I have the biggest of intentions with the tiniest of resources. 


I know the road to her recovery is possible. I have witnessed her strength first hand. I've seen mountains moved when she directs her energy in the right direction. We've discussed her moving and so far she is willing, but I need to do this right. When I stage the intervention, I need to show her that all she has to do for her, and for her child, is get on a plane and relax. And that it's that easy.

Please help me with your donations and your prayers... I refuse to ask for help with funeral expenses because I stood back and did nothing.

This is one of the last photos of her in public. Taken over a year ago...


My sister's future thanks you. My nephew's future thanks you.

And of course, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

God Bless You,

-Tracey