Episode #178: Recast: In Memory of Terrisa Noel Rivera-Jones: Humanizing Addiction Part 1 of 2, w/ Alysha Giliberti

We are honored to have Alysha Giliberti back at our table this week. Alysha tells us the heartwarming of her sister, Terrisa Noel Rivera-Jones. Terrisa is forever 31 after an overdose of fentanyl. Terrisa struggled with addiction and mental illness for the majority of her life. She was homeless on and off until the day she died. Terrisa was an amazing artist, extremely creative, and incredibly smart. She was funny, witty, and fun to be around (if she liked you). Terrisa worked in the mental health field and had many jobs over the years helping people; from working with substance use disorder to art therapy to assisting homeless veterans, Terrisa enjoyed helping anyone at any time; no matter what she needed for herself. Terrisa also had two girls whom she loved deep down to her soul. All of these things existed at the same time. Terrisa would want her girls to know they are loved beyond measure and they’re capable of loving themselves and others just as much. Terrisa was unapologetically herself and if her story can help anyone out there, she’d want it told. This is part 1 of a 2 part story. Listen next Wednesday for part 2 of Terrisa’s story. This is a recast of a previously aired episode.   From: Love, To: An Addict The saying goes, “We can’t love you more than you love yourself” But we loved you more than you loved.                  yourself At times when you just couldn’t Or the times when you just wouldn’t We loved you when you felt like you just             shouldn’t   And when your shame took over And days passed by And the time between the calls  grew longer We loved you more than you loved yourself The saying goes, “we can’t want it for you” But we wanted it for you When you wanted to numb the pain Or put the voices in your head at bay And hoped that time didn’t slip away We wanted it for you  When you were hurting most In the state of chaos and confusion In the midst of your deep loneliness And, let’s face it, even in your delusions We loved you more than you loved yourself  And we wanted it for you And when your heart said yes but your.                    brain said no  we wanted to be a safe space for you to.                  go  And in your shame  and maybe a little bit of “fuck it” mentality  ultimately you chose your reality a reality that none of us wanted for y