Devana's Story - Going Back To The Darkness To Guide Others
What makes you a Beautiful Disaster?
I consider myself a Beautiful Disaster because there is beauty in chaos. It’s my middle name—I’m a mess. I’m a mom, I’m a wife, and I’m in sobriety (3 YEARS on 11/30). I cuss like a sailor, but I’m beautiful in my own unique way.
Why do you identify with the Beautiful Disaster brand?
I identify with BD through the names of the collections and their meanings. The way a person can relate to something by just “judging the cover” is amazing.
Tell us your Beautiful Disaster story:
I guess you could start from birth, but let’s skip to when I had just turned 30. After having two girls back to back in ‘08 and ‘09, I thought I was done having kids. Well, that’s why I’m not a fortune teller, because 10 years after my first was born, I had my last—my boy. He was such a wonderful baby, always happy, and he still is. He changed my view of love. Unfortunately, the man I chose to spend my life with just wasn’t keeping up. We had two older girls in soccer, choir, and dance, plus a toddler.
He was only two when the world shut down. We couldn’t go to the park, we couldn’t go to tot time, we couldn’t do anything. So, we started making baskets for people and dropping them off at their doors. He loved it, and so did I. It’s a love language of mine. Somewhere down that road, the baskets turned into “BOOzy baskets,” and I found myself taking shots of cinnamon whiskey at 7 a.m. That’s when it all started. For the next year, I was at my local liquor store twice a day—once at 8 a.m. on the dot for my *first* pack, then back around noon for my *second*.
Now, I think about how awful that must have been for my children to witness. On 8/11/21, my 3-year-old son and I had a single-vehicle accident.
What happened for you to turn it around?
The wreck was the turning point. One second I was a stay-at-home mom, and the next moment I “was a danger.” And to be honest, I was. I immediately started calling rehabilitation centers. I needed help. I cannot live without my family, so every day I get up, and I do it for them.
Today, I’m a Certified Peer Support Specialist, I’m a mom, I’m a wife, and I’m a friend.
Name three things you’ve done to move closer to happiness:
1. The number one thing I remind myself and tell my clients is: *“Nobody else’s opinion of you is your business.”*
2. I’ve changed my way of thinking.
3. I’ve changed how I handle different situations.
If you’re in recovery and work in recovery, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing that light come back into someone’s eyes. It’s truly beautiful.
What is your favorite Beautiful Disaster collection, past or present, and why?
My favorites are “Storm” and “Out of the Darkness,” because I’m the living definition of that. I clawed myself out of the pits of Hell with blood, sweat, tears, and the courts. I made it out of the darkness; I was educated and evolved. Now, it’s time to go back into the darkness to guide others out.
Comments
Cynthia said:
Truly an inspiration to mothers ,and to wemon in general.To accept and take action as quickly as you did was commendable on every level.You are the reason that we wonder what we are put on earth for,because i feel we are here to Guide EACH OTHER through this life of uncertain as well as unfortunate events that so many of us relate to. As well as celebrate with each other as we become 1 bonding by such exsemplitory actions. Thank you for being you !! ❤️
Booster Blake said:
I felt moved by your love for your kids and the courage it takes to face addiction and WIN! I hope you heal some of that love on yourself too, you deserve it. Good mama.
Melissa Beaulieu said:
Your story is inspirational to say the least. Everybody goes through struggles some go through many. To find your way out and then willingly continually revisit that desolate place to help other find their way out. You are a true inspiration. And to all of those that you help you are their hero. Keep that head up and keep your heart strong Mama you got this!!!!
C helle M artin said:
I LOVE that BD’s euphemisms always speak to exactly how I feel. My all time fav is “No longer asking for permission”. Long story short; discovered I had unknowingly married a Covert Narcissist-that bomb blew up in my lap at 50 years old & 30+ years of marriage. BD helps me remember to fight for & honor myself by holding my boundaries. Thank You Christine & Beautiful Disaster. I’m honored to call myself a Beautiful Disaster!
Lillith ann said:
Hey I feel like I know you, weird right? Anyway very beautiful like you and I love your smile and keep rocking sis, we need warriors like you!!
Lisa kirouac said:
It’s an amazing thing to persevere against all odds. I also have to choose everyday to get up & face it. It’s not addiction in my case, but have been told Alcohol is 1 of hardest addictions to overcome. Congratulations
Pamela Rickard said:
You are a true hero, I’m 5 1/2 yrs clean n sober, I can relate to your journey, today I get to live recovery and walk my talk, I’m no longer a menace to society and I truly love my life today I love helping people and truly the most important person in any room is the new comber, and for that I’m so grateful to get to watch the life come back into there eyes!!!
Cheryl Ramona Talavera said:
Wow! What an awesome story of a fierce woman striving to survive and come out on top. Addiction is no easy walk. I’ve been riding the recovery train for 4years and counting. So many obstacles get thrown at you, but the choice you make to get through is what counts. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and you will always be a Beautiful Disaster. Keep up the good work guiding those out of the dark. Much Love, One Love. 💋🩵🫶
Jacque Brant said:
That was CRAZY!! And to become a Peer counselor after everything she’s been through, she’s definitely turned her life around, truly loves others to help them…PHENOMENAL!!! Shit, she’s got me crying. Brightest blessings sweetheart
Tiffany Altman said:
Way to go!! Wonderful story that hits home with many of us out here. There is light amid the darkness!!
Cheryl said:
High 5 and all the jazz that goes with it . Recovery is a long hard journey and a fight that never ends .
You deserve the world for making it out!
Thank you for returning to help others , prior addicts make the best counselors and actually it should be a requirement for being an addiction counselor , in my opinion .
Wishing you a long happy sober life !
KJ said:
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I definitely believe that we can use our pain and turn it into power and use it to propel us to the next part of our journey, the next part of our story in this life! Keep up the good work!!!!🩷🦋
Shannon Kleinke said:
So proud of you. 👏 👏 👏 👏
Keep going strong
Teree Dowd said:
I am very proud of you for all your trials and tribulations. None of us are perfect but you were able to see where went wrong and corrected it instantly! I have actually been where you were and changed my life around to so it makes me so happy to see others doing it too! Way to go mama! Stay blessed!!
Candy L said:
Thank you Devana for sharing your story. I feel that in and of itself to be challenging. But I also want to thank you for what you do, for helping others The fact that you’ve been able to turn everything around and give back by helping others is inspiring!
Michelle ann boss said:
I am a lesbian woman love life to the fullest faith over fear and hope,love,kind with a disability of adhd
Heather said:
This is the inspiration I needed today! I would like to reach out to Devana personally if possible or have her reach out to me at the above email address..
Thank you and congrats on your sobriety!!
Dona said:
Very happy and proud of you, continuing prayers for your future
Diane McClure Ercole said:
Lisa said:
What a journey. I know you don’t know me but I am proud of you, as a superwoman and recovering addict. My husband was bi-polar and sadly took his own life due to addiction. We had been married for 30 years. We married young and he fought most of his life. Unfortunately his demons couldn’t be silenced and he self medicated into addiction. He shot himself and I found him. It’s wonderful to hear that an addict took their life back and made it back to the light. Your story is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.