Tammi was a high achiever from elementary school until she graduated from Physical Therapy at East Carolina University. She had the highest grade point average from North Gaston High School in 1990 of 299 students. She was homecoming queen, played all sports and had been asked to run for mayor of our small town in Dallas, NC. She was also respected by the physicians in Gastonia as well as Charlotte. She has a son –Carter- age 9 who resides with myself and another surrogate parent.
Tammi had hip surgery from a slide in softball and was given narcotics. Little did we know that this was the beginning of the end for Tammi. As I look back now, I can see where it all started, and she ended up in jail for 5 months before entering Recovery Ventures in Blk Mtn. She ended up with 42 felonies and has charges pending in S.C. She has been away from Carter since January 2009. This month, we get the opportunity to meet with her at Emerald Isle on September 20th 2009. They are there for a full week but Carter and other children, will be with the parent for 5 hours on the beach. This must be a celebration since I was informed via of a letter that Tammi had worked so hard, and they were taking a week to relax.
The devastation to Carter, myself, and an uncle of Tammi’s will be felt for a long time. The stealing of personal money and account numbers as well as selling valuable family silver, china, wedding rings and etc. must be processed by Tammi in the future. I don’t dare say a word in hopes that she will approach me on the matter. I bought her a house that was going into foreclosure within 30 days in order to keep Carter as stable as possible. All I want is for Tammi to regain what she lost, which was her PT license, friends, her son, and etc. Even out of recovery, she will face a multitude of problems she brought on with the addiction. This is one of the most severe cases her clinician has ever seen. She became a person I no longer knew or even wanted to be around. I know that I have to be strong for Tammi, myself and Carter in hopes of one day getting her back as she once was.
