Vero’s path to recovery began with a series of challenging events. At the age of 25, she was diagnosed with a rare and painful condition that turned her immune system against her own body, leading to kidney failure.
She recalls the endless doctor visits with a sense of despair. “I was surrounded by people my age bringing their aging parents to the doctor. I felt out of place, too young to be there.”
By 26, Vero was on dialysis, battling severe depression and addiction. The pain medications meant to help her had become a crutch, and she found herself spiraling into a dark place.
“I had no hope,” she shares, which was the reason she stopped taking her kidney medications, leading to a self-induced coma that lasted eight days. But, her body and spirit were not done fighting. She woke from the coma, surrounded by loved ones and a bit more fight left in her.
Three years later, in 2020, a compassionate medical assistant became a beacon of hope: she suggested that Vero consider a kidney transplant.
This new possibility ignited a spark. “I was so broken and crying,” Vero recalls. “But in that moment, I felt love in her encouragement to get the transplant.”
Determined to turn her life around, Vero reached out to CODAC for therapy, demonstrating to herself and her treatment team that she deserved this life-saving procedure.
Therapy became a cornerstone of her recovery, challenging her to grow and teaching her to embrace her struggles.
“I learned how to prepare for the difficult moments and that it’s okay to not be okay.”
In April 2023, Vero received her kidney transplant, a monumental milestone in her recovery. As her body healed from the surgery, so did her mind and heart. She faced the challenge of recovery with newfound resilience, crediting her mother, Leticia, for the “prayers, faith and love that kept [her] alive.”
With tears in her eyes, Vero adds, “My church family’s unconditional love was also there for me, even when I found it hard to love myself.”
Now, as a Peer Support Specialist at CODAC for more than a year, Vero’s compassion and understanding, born from her own struggles, enable her to connect deeply with those she helps.
Vero emphasizes that “understanding the hurt that others are feeling and letting them know they are not alone, helps build a bond and framework for healing.”
It also motivates her to stay sober and reminds her of the “why” in her work and life.
Vero’s advice to those starting their recovery journey is simple yet profound: “You’re not alone. Someone knows what you’re feeling, and you can do it.”
With the right support and a resilient spirit, recovery is within reach.
