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BRAD'S STORY
My name is Brad Mulder and I would just like to say how pleased I am to be here to share part of my story with you. I am a native Canadian born in
Windsor Ontario to a family of 8 children. First of all, I would like to say the life I led was something I had never expected.
 Up until I was 17, I had no real serious difficulty with alcohol or drugs or any other mental health issues. However, at 18 my parents split up an our close-knit family fell apart. My mother moved to Michigan and my father stayed in Chatham Ontario with my older sisters.
Detroit Michigan was a huge change for me and after living in an environment of few distractions to one of many distractions mostly negative, the impact of the divorce on me was devastating, and I started rebelling by getting into trouble with drugs, alcohol, and irrational behaviour.
After moving away from Michigan, my behaviour became worse and to make a long story short, my drug and alcohol use turned into abuse and escalated for 35 years. During that time I made many bad choices and endured many difficult experiences, time in jails, penitentiaries, hostels and soup lines. At one point, I was homeless and jobless for 17 years, addicted to cocaine and alcohol and completely depressed and suicidal, having died twice and brought back to life on both occasions, only to continue the same self-destructive behaviour.
I had no hope, no home, and no way out of my self-imposed hell.
Feb 6, 2001, I was again incarcerated, and at age 50 decided something had to change. I had been to treatment centres over the years but always for the wrong reasons. However, I was later fortunate enough to be considered for a drug Treatment Court program which helped me to become hopeful, accountable, and responsible for many things that happened to me in my life, and to truly and honestly work on my demons. I successfully completed this program, entered 12 step groups, and worked with other supports through the CAMH; my life has come full circle. I am an alumni of DTC and Downsview Dells Treatment Centre, I have recently graduated from Voices From the Street and have done speaking engagements and motivational talks all over the city and in some cities in other parts of Canada. My hope is to advocate for more supportive housing for people with addictions and mental health issues. I believe that any real progress didn’t actually start until I got into supportive housing. Before getting into Ecu-homes, I didn’t have any real sense of all the challenges that I would experience in everyday living. Living in an environment of sharing with others and getting a sense of balance in my interactions with other people, some of whom were trying to deal with their own issues and some who were not, was, I believe, very good for me because I had never felt the need to be considerate of others. Many things happened within that environment, that were out of my control, and I really had to change my attitude to thrive in supportive housing. The housing workers were very supportive, encouraging, and non-judgmental which helped me to change and become more empathetic.
After three year of growing and changing, and reaching treatment goals and many life skills, relationships and other programs that I took advantage of, I qualified for a one bedroom apartment in a very nice high rise where I have been living since 2004. Today, I have a clear understanding of the importance of safe, secure, affordable, supportive housing for anyone who is struggling or recovering from mental health issues and addictions like myself.
I believe recovery is possible from just about anything if a person makes a decision and truly becomes willing to work on root causes of extreme life issues and can live a life of dignity, self respect, respect for others, and can become a contributing members of the community. I am looking forwards to working with the Dream Team to further the values, goals and mission we aspire to.
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