To my dear Recovery Beyond family,
It is with a myriad of emotions that will take time to unravel that I share some important news with you. I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life, to end my tenure as Executive Director of Recovery Beyond. As of January 1, 2024, I will be transitioning away from employment with this incredible organization into an Advisory Board Member role. The mission and vision of Recovery Beyond are a part of my soul and so very significant that I simply must remain involved in the impact our community makes – both for the sake of our participants and for my own recovery journey.
Many of you have become aware of some unexpected medical concerns that I have encountered over the last four months. For those who haven’t heard, I have been struggling with a newly discovered neurological disorder that remains undiagnosed and is having a substantial effect on my life and functioning. I am grateful for the incredible support that surrounds me, the specialists who have been fighting for my improvement, and the opportunity to be seen by the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in January to further explore a diagnosis and treatment plan.
I’ve never been the kind of person who takes well to slowing down my pace. My recovery journey has also included much strain to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. I am proud to have invested everything I have over the past two years into changing the things I could with Recovery Beyond…hopefully for the better. It is a daily exercise to accept that there are some things in life which I cannot wish away.
Although I can’t change the fact that I have a brain disorder, I can control the choices I make which will either negatively or positively affect the trajectory of that disorder. Thank God and all my fellow recoverees for teaching this concept to me. Fourteen years ago, I had to learn that I can’t change the fact that I’m an individual with a substance use disorder, but I was blessed enough to learn what options I had for living with this disease and shifting my outlook to one of gratitude rather than despair. Now, life has given me a similar pathway, and I have the real-world experience to know that faith, hope, and community will bring me peace.
My favorite kind of adventure involves water, woods, movement, challenge, and family. There are other types of adventure too though. I don’t know what this adventure will ultimately bring me and my loved ones. I do know, however, that I will always want Recovery Beyond to be a part of the family involved in its ingredients. I hope that the community will embrace the next generation of leadership welcomed into our fold. Meanwhile, I truly look forward to continuing to Capture the Spirit with Recovery Beyond in new and adventurous ways – whatever they may be!
All my love,
Megan Wright