Before Shelterwood I was a very emotionally distraught person. I had been to a mental hospital three separate times for self-harm, anger, substance abuse, suicide attempts, and depression. I had become a very violent person and had lost all hope of ever living a happy life. In December of 2012 I had begun to use a lot of hard drugs and got sent to a rehab in Chicago. When I completed that program my parents decided that I would need to go to a more long-term treatment. That’s when I was sent to Shelterwood.
Shelterwood is a Christian boarding school and I wanted nothing to do with a relationship with God. Having been raised Catholic in a very strict church setting I had a very rough time accepting religion. Shelterwood taught me that religion isn’t necessarily having a relationship with God. I learned about God’s unconditional love and accepted him into my heart. My life has been different ever since.
Attending Shelterwood is not an easy thing. Doing so was one of the most difficult things I have done in my life but it was worth it. I was able to face my past head on and become sober. I have been home from Shelterwood for almost a year now and I have never been happier with my life. I can say with 100% certainty that Shelterwood changed my life. I still have up’s and down’s but now I know how to deal with them. My family life is amazing now and I have a great support system all the way in Missouri. Attending shelterwood helped me gain positive relationships and a healthy lifestyle. I am forever grateful for Shelterwood.
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