Helen Burnam named recipient for 2009 Courage to Come Back Award

Growing up in an affluent Vancouver household in the 1950s, Helen Burnham dreamed of getting married and having a large family. Her home life was comfortable but strict: no smoking, dancing, playing cards, or drinking. As was typical in those years, appearances were uppermost and feelings weren't discussed. It was a childhood that couldn't have prepared Helen for what life would bring.

Helen married young and they started their family: seven children in 14 years. The marriage deteriorated as her husband became emotionally and physically abusive. Helen tried to keep up appearances but the violence in her home increased, and as a way of coping, she turned to alcohol. She took her first drink in her thirties, but soon made up for lost time as the alcohol seemed to make her life tolerable.

Eventually, she began to fear for her life and the lives of her children and after 20 years in a violent marriage she ended it. Alone with seven children to raise, Helen found the feelings of failure almost unbearable and her drinking increased. The loss of their home to an arsonist's fire merely added to her addiction.

It wasn't until Helen's son Danny was killed in April 1986 in an accident directly related to alcohol and drugs that she sought help for herself and her family. She found a counselor who put her in touch with a recovering alcoholic who took her to a recovery meeting. Like many women, the thought of admitting she was an alcoholic was very shameful for Helen, and she resisted treatment. Eventually she realized it was the only way to save her family, and took her last drink in January of 1987. Even in recovery, though, tragedy happens and in the summer of 2002 Helen lost a second son, David, from mental illness and addiction. Helen was devastated, but this time she did not drown her grief in alcohol.

Since the beginning of her recovery, Helen's mission in life has been to do whatever she can to help other women find freedom from their addictions. She did what very few upper middle-class women would dream of doing: she was open about her illness. Looking for a way to give back and make the greatest possible contribution, in 1990 she and a friend founded the Avalon Women's Centre. The centre offers a variety of 12-Step programs and resources for women across all social strata who are struggling with addiction issues, and provides a safe, welcoming environment that supports them through their recovery. It is a community of hope that has helped thousands of women in the Lower Mainland achieve and maintain sobriety.

Helen says, "Alcoholism is a disease with a lot of shame attached to it, particularly for women. My hope is that by accepting this Courage To Come Back Award, more women will have 'the courage to come back' themselves."

Congratulations, Helen. Coast is proud to have you as our 2009 Courage To Come Back recipient in the Addiction category.

Helen will receive her Courage To Come Back Award at the 11th Annual Gala Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver on Thursday, April 30th. For tickets, call 604-675-2328 or purchase online at www.coastmentalhealth.com.

About Courage To Come Back

The Courage To Come Back Awards celebrate people who have inspired others as they have courageously battled back from illness, adversity or injury. Through Courage, British Columbians are acknowledged for their accomplishments, positive attitudes and willingness to give back to their communities. Awards are given in six categories including: mental health, physical rehabilitation, medical, addiction, social adversity and youth.

Through presenting the stories of six amazing recipients each year at The Courage To Come Back Awards, Coast Mental Health strives to offer hope to all those suffering from illness, adversity or injury and demonstrates that all people have value and dignity regardless of the illness, adversity or injury they have faced.