Help Ekai Transition After Rehab
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Transitioning After Rehabilitation
To my family and friends: I'm reaching out for support as I transition out of a life-changing rehabilitation experience. This journey has been part of my search for meaning and the most difficult inner work I've ever faced—yet it’s been necessary and freeing. We’re celebrating recovery, healing, and the profound spiritual awakening that has come through the AA program and process!
In August, I made a difficult but necessary decision to pause my business, let go of my clients, and focus entirely on addressing my disease of alcoholism. What began as a humbling search for meaning has blossomed into a transformative victory, One with grace and the renewal of my spirit.
This journey that has lasted about 4 months has taken me to unexpected places, including 5.5 weeks in the barrios of Los Corales Cancun - a really poor area, where I lived humbly, contributed to a household, and learned to appreciate the simple blessings of life. I walked daily to collect water, lived on 150 pesos a day, cared for 2 children (Zoe 8, Niko 4), and reflected on the luxuries I had once taken for granted. These lessons of gratitude and perspective prepared me for the real work of healing—accepting my illness and surrendering to the process of recovery.
On October 28th, I entered a rehabilitation center with the hope of finding answers, and I left with so much more. Through the grace of God, I experienced a profound spiritual awakening. I felt the Holy Spirit rush into my heart, filling me with love, joy, grace and a warm embrace so powerful that I was brought to tears time and time again (15 to be exact!)—tears of releasing decades of pain, and tears of gratitude. This moment was the victory I had longed for: my faith restored, my path illuminated, and my heart open to the life God has been preparing me for.
As I prepare to leave rehab and transition into this next chapter, I am committed to living a life of sobriety, service, and faith. However, I need your support to stabilize my foundation and put these commitments into action.
Together, with your help, I am stepping into this new chapter, rooted in the victory of recovery and the strength of community. Thank you for being part of this journey with me!
How the Funds Will Be Used
I’m seeking $10,500 to catch-up on bills, create a peaceful and productive living environment, and support the essential elements of my recovery and reintegration. Here is how the funds will be used:
Rent and Apartment Renewal
The majority of the funds will go toward catching up on rent for my apartment. I am currently behind by a few months, and while I’ve been granted a grace period due to the favors I’ve done for the owner, it’s imperative that I honor this kindness and pay what is owed. Losing my apartment would mean moving to a new place, which will be more expensive than if I stay. For example; moving expenses, first month’s rent, and two deposits (as is standard for foreigners).
My apartment is ideal for my current situation in Mexico. I don’t have a car yet, but I do have my temporary residency which will turn into permanent residency in 2 more years. Then I'll get my INE and be able to get a license and car.
My apartment is part of a plaza, which means I don’t need a car because groceries and supplies are just an elevator ride away, and I can bring everything directly to my door. This convenience is a tremendous blessing, as the only trips I need to make outside are for church, equine therapy, volunteer work, or doctors’ appointments.
Horse and Therapy
Jupiter, my horse, has been an amazing figure in my life. Equine therapy has provided me with peace, purpose, and emotional support. Jupiter is more than just a horse—he’s my 1,400-pound emotional support animal. I need to catch up on his stable fees to ensure I don’t lose him and continue riding as part of my therapeutic routine.
Additionally, resuming therapy sessions with my long-term therapist, is essential. His guidance has been so helpful in navigating my emotions and recovery process. These sessions will remain a vital part of my ongoing journey along with daily conversations with my Sponsor in AA, who has been sober for 11 years. So far his wisdom has been invaluable - mind blowing!
Utilities, Food, Medication and Local Transportation
The remaining funds will be allocated to cover utilities, groceries, and a new medication regimen that supports my mental and physical health. I need to catch up on bills for water, electricity, internet, and cell phone service.
I need a food budget that will last until I start working and earning again, which I anticipate happening within the next month and a half (towards the end of December).
Ensuring I can meet these basic needs will allow me to focus entirely on implementing my recovery plan (below) and building a stable future. Your support will enable me to stay in the home and city that I’ve worked so hard to get established in - Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico!
Four-Month Reintegration Plan
Here’s a breakdown of my reintegration plan following my release from rehab on Wednesday, November 27th. This plan focuses on spiritual growth, financial stability, and service to others.
November: Foundation and Preparation (Rehabilitation)
Focus: Education on alcoholism, trauma, releasing guilt and resentments, coping mechanisms, planning reintegration, and deepening conscious contact with God and spiritual growth.
- AA and Recovery Work: Continue progressing through the 12 Steps of AA, emotional stability, and the AA principles. Steps 10, 11, and 12 will remain an ongoing part of my life and recovery journey.
- Routine Building: Solidify daily habits like prayer, journaling, and Bible study that I’ll carry forward into my post-rehab life.
December: Transition, Reintegration, and Routine Building
Focus: Creating a stable and uplifting environment while securing work, and continuing my walk with God.
Home Environment:
- Immediate payments to keep my apartment and avoid costly relocation, leveraging the convenience of the plaza for groceries and supplies.
- Bring life back into my apartment.
- Adopt a cat to provide companionship and emotional grounding at home!
Spiritual and Recovery Practices:
- Attend English-speaking church in Tepoztlán.
- Commit to nightly AA Meetings at 7pm with my home group, ‘Boys II Men’, out of Atlanta, Georgia (zoom meetings)
- Begin service work, including helping local rehab centers and assisting English-speaking alcoholics & addicts in Cuernavaca.
- I'm invited to pass out food boxes to the poorest colonies/barrios in Cuernavaca Dec 23rd
- I am hosting a soup kitchen at the state hospital on Dec 24th
Financial Stability:
- Start job applications to secure a modest income by mid-January.
- Establish a food and medication budget to cover essentials until I begin working and earning again.
Daily Wellness Routine:
- Morning AA reflections, journaling, prayer, and Bible study. Normal morning routine but incorporating AA Reflections and Bible Study.
- Gym five days a week per-usual.
- Equine therapy with Jupiter three times a week to stay grounded and connected (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
January: Stabilization and Sustaining Growth
Focus: Strengthening routines, increasing financial stability, and giving back.
Financial Goals:
- Begin work, aiming to earn a modest income.
- Budget carefully to cover loan/fundraising repayments.
Spiritual and Recovery Practices:
- Deepen and continue my commitment to AA, my sponsor and church involvement.
- Mentor others in recovery and start equine therapy meetings in the forest.
Service and Accountability:
- Volunteer at local rehab clinics and community programs.
- Strengthen my support network of mentors and peers in recovery.
February: Self-Reliance and Financial Accountability
Focus: Building independence, honoring financial commitments, and deepening spiritual growth.
Financial Independence:
- Start paying back family members and friends who offered financial support instead of donations.
- Build an emergency fund to support long-term sobriety and prevent financial strain in the future.
Recovery and Faith Commitment:
- Maintain daily routines of AA meetings, church attendance, morning & before-bed devotionals.
- Seek ways to serve more deeply, such as translating AA materials or hosting meetings for English speakers in Cuernavaca in my apartments common area.
Equine Therapy and Service:
- Begin offering horseback riding and forest meetings for those in recovery, merging my passions with service.
March: New Year, New Me – 150 Days Sober
Focus: Entering Q2 with gratitude, purpose, and stability.
Spiritual Growth:
- Reflect on progress and celebrate crossing 150 days sober!
- Continue serving others and expanding my support system.
Long-Term Goals:
- Business growth, continued service, maintaining my English Speaking AA group, deepening my equine therapy program, saving to buy a car, saving to build the family ranch.
With only 4 days left in rehab, I’ve prayed, meditated, and poured my heart into this plan. But honestly, my new motto is “Let go and let God. Thy Will, not mine, be done. More God, less me.”
This is more than a fundraiser—this is my path to purpose. As the AA Big Book emphasizes, “strenuous work, one alcoholic with another alcoholic, is vital to permanent recovery.” With your help, I can build a life dedicated to offering hope, healing, and strength to others facing the same battles.
Your donations mean more to me than words can say. It’s a chance to create a life filled with purpose, faith, and resilience, one day at a time.
NOTE: If you prefer to loan money rather than donate, simply message me (via WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook, or Instagram) and let me know. I foresee starting to pay back loans in February.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping me bounce-back stronger than ever!
With all my love and gratitude,
Ekai Stone
Medeorganisatoren (2)
Ekai Stone
Organisator
Glendale, CA
Carmen Ramirez
Begunstigde
Carmen Ramirez
Medeorganisator