Perhaps if Deborah Petree had been delayed in her car for a few minutes on that day in 1996 when she had a car crash that made her a quadriplegic and slightly paralysed down her left side, she might not have become addicted to prescription narcotics and ended up in a jail cell three years ago, the lowest point of her life as well as its tipping point.
Or maybe if she had gotten into her car a few minutes earlier a few years ago when another former addict, Wayne Musselman, backed into her car, she wouldn’t have become friends, fallen in love and become his fiancée.
Then she might not have found in his house, which had been on the market for a year with no takers in sight, the venue for the realisation of her newly found purpose in life to set up a place where women could go to recover from their addictions away from old temptations and out of a desire to truly change their lives for themselves, just like she had managed to do.
W.A.D.E Freedom House in Jacksonville, Alabama might never have been born.
Wayne and Debbie were
Wayne and Debbie were married on April 29, 2006. The house now has over 20 clients who are working on thier recovery. Debbie works at the house 10-12 hours per day, her only compensation is the joy she receives in helping other addicts. I don’t think thier are very many people who could do what she does and to “stick to and stay the course”. Debbie is still partially paralized on her left side, but she gets up at the crack of dawn every day to do what God has led her to do, help other addicts. One of her greatest joys is when the clients stay thier course and graduate the program. Debbie is a wonderful person and I wish that one day she would receive the recognition that she truly deserves……….Wayne Musselman
Recovery
I am one of Ms Petree’s graduates from her program. She really is an inspuratoin. She was definatly the instrument my Higher Power used to save my life, and I will always be grateful.
Her story touches my heart no matter how many times I hear it. To know her in person and see what she has overcame and helps us to overcome is truly inspiring.
I am truly grateful that there is someone out there like her willing to give back.