Rise Up - Sylvia Valerie

Sylvia grew up in a privileged urban background. Life was good. Experimenting with alcohol from an early age, it turned into a monster that would have a stranglehold on her for most of her youth and adulthood. She dabbled with substance abuse in high school and university, however when her father passed away while she was in her 3rd year at the University, she spiraled into using heavy, hard drugs that saw her live through self-neglect, crime and homelessness. There were many failed attempts to get her clean through rehab and other interventions. Years later, when all had given up on her and she was on the verge of giving up on herself, she used her last strand of will to get her life back. Rise up she says. Cultivate self- awareness. Don’t give up on yourself or family members struggling with substance abuse.