The Power of Ones Will

Bonnie Shermans Story

-Ariana Hernandez,
Colorado Mental Wellness Network Intern

There are many obstacles in life that are meant to test our will power, strength and hope.
They serve as roadblocks so we are required to push ourselves to seek better quality of life
and develop the skills and knowledge we need to succeed in every aspect of life. People
from all different walks of life experience these challenges, and no one has a similar story.

These challenges do not make one person better than another, but rather, unite us all in
learning the value of self-advocacy and having the will power and hope to live the best life
possible. Bonnie Sherman is the epitome of one that has had and continues to have the will
and hope to live a better life and change for the best, first and foremost for herself, but also
to inspire others to do the same.

About five years ago, Bonnie was convicted for criminal impersonation and was entered
into the system based on these charges. Because of these charges, the law discovered she
also had a substance abuse problem, as she was involved with the use of
methamphetamine.

Fearing a felony conviction, Bonnie was thankful when she became one of the first
participants in Greeley, Colorados Drug Court. The Drug Court is a program that is
designed to integrate substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment with
intensive supervision and judicial oversight meant to promote public safety and teach
individual responsibility. The mission of the program is to reduce crime and improve the
quality of life for participants and their loved ones.

Through this program, Bonnie regained her hope, and learned to make informed decisions
about her life by having knowledge of her rights and responsibilities and knowing who she
could count on for support.

While in Drug Court, Bonnie took training to become a peer specialist. In 2010, she
graduated from the Drug Court Program, and was then hired at North Range Behavioral
Health where she could utilize her new skills. During her time in the program and at her
new job, she met many new people, which opened doors to very positive opportunities. As
she progressed in this new way of life, Bonnie was invited to the Leadership Academy put
on by Mental Health America of Colorado.

After prevailing over her substance abuse and the criminal charges in her past, Bonnie
admits that it wouldnt take much to return to that dark place, but she says, God put me on
this path, and something had to happen to give her the wake up call she needed to be a
better person.

Now, she has created a support group of people who truly care about her wellness and
newfound love for living a positive life; and in return she gives them the same caring
attitude. Her new skills as a peer specialist, and being able to look back on her life to see
how far she has positively progressed keeps her focused and keeps her aware that this life
she is living now is, and will always be the better choice.

Bonnie describes her experience as a point in her life where she knew she had to change for
the better in order to help herself and then help others. It took a lot for her to realize she
had a serious problem, but through self advocacy skills taught through the Drug Court
Program she is now a successful peer specialist who can help others succeed.

Bonnie aspires to open a Dream House in the future. She believes that there should be a
safe place for people to stay who are involved in a variety of situations and who are striving
to better themselves like she did. These include those who are participating in the Drug
Court Program, homeless individuals and people who have been in trouble with the law.