“I spent 13 years homeless – in the process of that I also spent a lot of time in and out of jail. I just wasn’t ready to quit using. It took me down a very dark, dark path. I remember walking around on the streets, not knowing where I was going to eat. Not knowing where I was going to sleep. And the only thing I was worried about was how I can get one more drug. It was more just wanting to change the way I felt. I felt rejected I felt isolated I felt alone – and I stayed that way for many years. It was really dark moment of my life. I’ve been to jail 31 times. I’ve been to prison 3 times. I’ve been to state jail twice. I’ve been to 15 rehabs – and it was the 16th one that worked. So I always tell people – don’t stop trying – don’t give up. I’m here to tell you can make it out. Addiction is very evil – and it can take everything out of you. I now have 8 years of sobriety. People ask me all the time, Ty – what made you get off of drugs and the streets? And I tell them – drugs and the streets! My message to the population in Dallas is that there is a way out. And if you’re not willing to grow you’re dying. And the reason why I’m so passionate is because I am homelessness – I’m homelessness on the other side. And homelessness – it’s not a death sentence. And most people – are a couple of checks away. A couple checks away, and your world can collapse. I thank God for the path I went down – because it really made me see how much I value life. ”
