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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Across the Interstate Bridge, the sound of traditional native drumming led a march for hope Monday.
The song serenaded hundreds of residents in Oregon and Southwest Washington who met above the Columbia for the 24th annual Hands Across the Bridge.
Started in 2001 by Patty Katz and Louise Wedge, the event invites people impacted by substance use disorders a stigma-free place to come together.
At the helm of the trek, Jayden Esquiro, a singer from Warm Springs, Oregon, told KOIN 6 News he is using his gifts to help uplift others following his own battle with substances.
“I’m here to sing and pray for those still struggling in addiction,” he said.
Esquiro is not alone. Before the march, those in recovery shared their stories both outside the Jantzen Beach Holiday Inn in Oregon and at Esther Short Park in Vancouver.
“I come from a household of alcoholic parents,” said Laura Tellez. “Growing up that’s what I got taught — you go through something bad, you numb it.”
Three years clean off fentanyl, Tellez said she is now mentoring others about the importance of prevention. Still, she said the road to recovery hasn’t been easy.
“I have been going through some hardships in my life right now; getting back into the work force, getting my household back, my kids back. And it’s hard but I’m here to show that it’s possible,” she said. “I’m here to show it does work. It’s so easy to look at a pamphlet or read something but this is my life. This is me, the real me, raw me. ”
One by one others told KOIN 6 News their reasons for getting clean:
“I had a child,” and Sean Tapio with Volunteers of America. “If I just keep going down the road I’m going, it’s not just me who will be disappointed. There will be a disappointed little girl.”
According to organizers, the Labor Day event is also meant to help kick off National Recovery Month.
“We are fighting that stigma and allowing people to know that we’re here, recovery is possible, that prevention works, and that treatment is effective,” said Tabitha Stokes, Board Chair of Hands Across the Bridge. “We’re saying that recovery is everyone. Every person, every family, every community, because we’re all impacted.”
Following festivities on both sides of the river including speeches, free food, and connection to resources, the two camps marched across the bridge to form a human chain.
Bonded by the impact of addiction, but marching together, the groups joined hands at the sound of the honk of a tugboat.
“There is hope,” said Erica Gregerson with Hands Across the Bridge. “You just have to reach out and really want it. It is life or death and that’s what recovery is really about.”
Hand-in-hand, participants said the movement also serves as a metaphor for the thousands still struggling with addiction.
“You’re not alone,” Tapio said. “When you’re ready to reach out, just reach out and somebody will be there to hold your hand.”
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Joelle Jones
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