Ted Williams (not the Hall Of Fame professional MLB player) but the viral YouTube sensation with the "golden voice" has become 2011's first feel-good story of the year. He was discovered late last year by a reporter in his hometown of Columbus, OH. He was a homeless man panhandling and the reporter took a video of him talking and put it on YouTube. Millions of hits later, Ted is famous. He's getting job offers left and right from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, NFL Network, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and even from Oprah Winfrey for her new OWN network.
However, after accepting the Kraft offer, being reunited with his mother and 5 of his 9 offspring, he had a bigger obstacle to overcome: drug and alcohol addiction. He has fallen on hard times over the past few years due to these evil vices. They caused him to be penniless and homeless, living out of a homemade tent on the side of the road in Columbus. Once he received money and fame again, he immediately fell off the wagon. He started drinking Coronas, Grey Goose, and even fighting with one of his children, Jenay. This altercation landed him a night in jail. Now, after speaking with Dr. Phil on a couple of occasions, he's in rehab trying to beat this addiction before he entertains these numerous offers (the ones that will still be available, that is).
Addiction is something I'm all too familar with. I have had numerous alcoholic and drug addicts in my family. The most recent one was my brother, Adam. His drug addiction eventually ended his life. Next Friday, January 28th, will be 5 years since he passed from a drug overdose. ANY time of addiction is a lifelong battle, one that requires lots of willpower, therapy, and prayer. It is up to that person as to whether or not they want to be rehabillitated. They have to be willing to be helped, change their lifestyle, and avoid negative influences that will place them back into harm's way.
This is exactly what Ted Williams must do. He has a lot of folks in his corner, including even his family, whom he has hurt emotionally and physically. He has to make up his mind that he wants to take full advantage of this second chance he has at success in life. He has a special voice but it is currently tarnished by his substance abuse and the negligence to treat this disease. Once his health is in order, it must be maintained, like an automobile. He will need to stay in touch with professionals such as Dr. Phil, have the support of his loved ones, and avoid any and ALL temptations. One in particular is his girlfriend, who is supposedly a drug addict and a prostitute. Unless she changes, she will ONLY bring Ted back to where he was before. Poor, homeless, and forgotten.
I am personally loving this story (the good and the bad) of Ted Williams. It's inspiring how he has a shimmer of hope despite this recent setback. The beginning of the New Year is about starting anew and leaving the past behind. This story emulates all of that. It's the type of stuff you really can't script or write. I will be following this story as it continues to unfold, even while Ted is in rehab and out of the public eye.
Again, Ted can beat this addiction. The main factor in this situation is himself. He has to be strong enough to resist temptation and realize what is as stake, but smart enough to have the right people around him as "barometers" to gauge his progress and keep him on the straight and narrow.
I look forward to hearing that "golden voice" again and pray that Ted is just not another negative statistic, but an inspirational, comeback story that great movies and books are made of.
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