I’ve known plenty of individuals whose early life sucked them down into drug use, crime, living on the streets, and a sense of failure and despair. In a lengthy phone conversation last week, Lindsay Fairweather of Hedley talked about circumstances and experiences that might have dragged her into a life of meaningless desolation. “Our family was troubled by intergenerational trauma,” she said. “ My grandfather was abusive, drugs and alcohol were in common use, a family member died of an overdose.”

Looking back at those years now, she said, “it’s the culture of our society. It’s what I saw adults and my peers doing. My friends raided their parents alcohol and prescription drugs and brought them to parties. For me it was just a part of growing up. I wasn’t exposed to any other way of life.”

Born in Penticton, Lindsay lived with her mother for a number of years. “Mom was a construction worker,” she said, “when a job ended, we’d move to another community. Many times she showed up at my school and told me to come with her. We were moving again. It meant leaving behind friends and never seeing them again.” This unsettling pattern ended when at age 12 she moved to Hedley to live with her Dad. She graduated from Keremeos Senior Secondary.

Although her life was no longer disrupted by frequent changes of community and school, all was not well. “I was angry, I fought a lot in high school,” she admitted. “Then I started going to raves and festivals. I saw a lot of colour there and the freedom to be yourself. I loved the music and I loved dancing. They helped me see the magic in the world.”

Lindsay saw a lot of good in the festivals, but she was also keenly aware of a dark side. “I saw people trying everything, mixing all sorts of drugs, and disrespecting each other and the land.”

Inspite of being so immersed, she had the capacity to be objective and evaluate what was happening around her. “I saw people turning to drugs, seeking instant release and gratification. They wanted to escape their physical and emotional pain. Often they said this was how they got out of their shell.”

Lindsay believes the festivals played a role in shaping who she has become. “I began to understand that there is good in everyone,” she said. “When I saw people on drugs and how they were acting, it broke my heart. I felt there was a need for greater compassion. I began volunteering at festivals, doing what I could to keep people safe. I took on more of a nurturing role.”

After graduating from high school, Lindsay volunteered with Katimavik. Her assignments took her to MooseJaw Saskatchewan, where she worked in a day care, then to a French immersion program in Ontario. Her third placement was in Parksville B.C. where she worked with dementia, autism and downs syndrome clients. “Katimavik changed the direction of my life,” she said. “Parksville particularly gave me the understanding I wanted to be in community work. Katimavik opened my thinking beyond my small community experience. It was kind of a gateway to expand my life.”

She had the understanding she wanted to be a community support worker. For 10 years she talked about it but was concerned she’d become too emotionally involved. Unable to make the decision, she picked fruit, worked in a fishing lodge, operated a ski lift, managed a restaurant, and took a course in basic accounting. It was Peggy Terry, then a Hedley resident, who kindled the spark that prodded Lindsay to act. “You’ve been saying this for years,” Peggy said, then added, “just do it.”

The next day Lindsay enrolled in the Sprott Shaw Community Support Worker program and now works at “Ashnola at the Crossing”. Located just west of Keremeos, it’s a specialized addictions treatment facility for youth and young adults. “I love it,” she said.

Lindsay’s earlier life trajectory could have made her a client at “the Crossing,” rather than a counsellor. Fortunately she had a supportive community in Hedley. “Also, my Dad was a good mentor and my friend Meghan showed faith in me,” she said. “I feel my siblings and I have broken the chain of intergenerational trauma. That’s important.” It could also be added that Lindsay learned from her experiences and had the inner strength and good sense to change direction.