LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- From homelessness to a special invitation to the nation's capital.
After time on the streets, going to prison and a tragic loss, Jeremy Byard turned his life around and now he's going to the nation's capitol to share with lawmakers how he did it.
"I'm a person that is in remission from opioid use disorder for 10 years now," Byard said.
Byard is a classic example of someone who doesn't look like what they've been through. Over the years, his struggles have led to substance abuse, homelessness and prison.
But several years ago, Byard got clean and met the love of his life.
Jeremy Byard turned his life around and will be sharing how he did it with lawmakers. (WDRB photo)
"Me and my wife met in recovery," Byard said.
Like Jeremy, she was a person in recovery and also college educated.
"We made a really picture perfect couple," Byard said.
But in June of 2022, some of the imperfections resurfaced.
"Toward the end of COVID, her mental health was taking a turn and my mental health was taking a turn and returns to use happened," Byard said.
While traveling for business, Jeremy received tragic news.
"And she ended up using a substance to kind of relieve some of her pain and didn't know that there was fentanyl in it," Byard said. "And the fentanyl is what what ultimately took her to her death."
Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping others in recovery and suffering from homelessness. He's now the director of harm reduction services at the Arthur Street Hotel.
On Monday, Byard will be heading to the nation's capital for the annual NIDA convention and to share his story in front of congress and the White House. He's one of four invited guests.
"And so there's a researcher from Harvard, Yale and Columbia and then me," Byard said.
He may not have an ivy league background but Byard has learned a thing or two from the school of hard knocks.
"That's part of what I'm going to talk about when I go to DC is what happens when someone's a leader in the recovery space and they have a return to you so they have a struggle," Byard said.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
