http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=383858This is not a story about self-pity.
It is a story about redemption and hope.
That was the message Laurie Dhue, veteran broadcast journalist, media strategist and recovering alcoholic had for attendees of the 21st annual Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence Dinner.
Dhue, a former anchor at CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, was the keynote speaker during the dinner Wednesday night at the Crowne Plaza Reading, Wyomissing. There were more than 800 people in attendance.
Proceeds from the dinner will support the Caron Adolescent Scholarship Fund, which usually raises about $300,000 from the dinner each year.
"This is a tremendous turnout," said Mike McGlinn, chairman of the board. "We used to say Caron was the hidden gem of Berks County, but I think it's not so hidden anymore."
And out in the open is the way Dhue prefers it.
After being outed as a recovering alcoholic a year ago, Dhue embraced the spotlight and took the opportunity to share her message with others.
Dhue went through a Caron program a few years ago. When the board heard her story, it invited her to sit on the New York Advisory Board.
"This is not a 'poor-me' story," she said, adding that she would also like to call the audience to action. "There is still so much stigma attached to addiction."
Dhue said that when the word addiction is mentioned, people often recoil.
Instead, she wants them to start to come together to stop a problem that kills tens of thousands of people a year.
"I want to strip away the stigma," she said. "I want to lead the next generation. I feel that is why I was put here."
But Dhue added that this is not all about her.
"It's about the disease that affects people; it's a disease people should care about," she said.
And while many people may think that being sober is boring, Dhue said, she is having the time of her life.
Also during the dinner for Caron Treatment Centers, Dan and Ellen Huyett were named recipients of the Award of Excellence, and Carpenter Technology Corp. received the corporate partner in recovery award.
Dan Huyett said he and his wife are proud of the award, but especially proud of the work Caron does and the speech Dhue shared with the audience is one part of that.
"She has a very important message to give," he said.
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I lived another 20 years sober. Best wishes Laurie, one day at a time.