Perspectives From a Pathfinder: What is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
We’ve all been asked, “What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?” Most people are surprised when I tell them it has nothing to do with business or my career.
It is impacting and, in many cases, saving the lives of many drug‑exposed infants.
As certified foster parents, my wife and I have committed ourselves to caring for, loving, and protecting as many of these precious little angels as possible. We also have our own parenting story, having raised our now‑adult kids. For us, the most important principle is “Foster to Reunite.” We want to give these babies the best possible start while also giving mom and dad a real chance to address their addiction and reunite with their child, so they may enjoy their story. It does not always work out, but everyone deserves an advocate and an opportunity to fight their way back from the disease of addiction.
Nothing in my career has ever been tougher, more work and sacrifice or more fulfilling.
Five years ago, when we began this journey, I was burned out, stressed, and stuck in a rut in my last leadership role. My wife and I talked about finding a meaningful way to give back for all the blessings in our lives. Like so many others, we have seen the devastation addiction creates, especially for the infants and children who never asked for the circumstances they were born into. These little ones start life already behind.
My wife, a nurse for more than 20 years, has cared for countless babies born addicted, often with parents incarcerated or unable to provide care. We knew this was where we could make the biggest impact.
Take our newest little fighter, this little bug. She was born on January 8, addicted to meth, fentanyl, and methadone. She spent her first three weeks battling through withdrawals in the NICU while being treated with morphine. With both parents struggling with addiction and no family support system, we began visiting her every day as soon as we knew she would be our next placement. We cuddled her, loved her, and gave her every bit of comfort we could because it genuinely makes a difference. Now she is home with us. Our mission is to love her endlessly, help her through the often months of ongoing withdrawal, and advocate for her parents to get the help they need so reunification remains possible.
In my career, I have been around and have worked with many professional athletes, and the advice I have given every single one is, in most instances, that they will be remembered more for what they do off the field than on it. That advice applies to all of us.
Your calling may not be fostering. All I encourage is that you find something meaningful and give of yourself. You will discover a deeper sense of purpose, balance and happiness in your life…and career.
Jeff Johnson – EVP, Pathfinder Media Group
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