Sometimes life presents you with difficult choices, and sometimes none of the options are good ones. Alex Garrison’s son, Connor, was born with cerebral palsy and many special needs that required surgery. Alex worked hard to provide for his family, and his efforts were rewarded with a promotion at work. The promotion meant more money for the family. It also meant that they no longer qualified for state medical coverage for their son’s surgery.

I relapsed into drinking and drugs. The VA took away all my pills, and I spiraled. Despite brief moments of stability—a townhouse, a truck—I was eventually arrested for possession and spent two years homeless. Eventually, I connected with Vet’s Inc. in Bradford, Vermont, a readjustment house for homeless Veterans. I received counseling and therapy, saved money, paid off debt, and bought a car. But my time there ended abruptly, and I landed in prison.