PHOTO BY Simon Hayter / MPW.59 PHOTO BY Simon Hayter / MPW.59
  • Wrestling with Ghosts
  • By Simon Hayter, Freelance
  • The 59th Missouri Photo Workshop / Chillicothe, Mo.
  • Lori Gaston is a 37-year-old recovering drug addict who is fighting to make her life and the lives of her three children better.

    Lori’s life hit rock bottom two years ago when she overdosed on methamphetamine and almost died. The incident terrified Lori and made her realize she was mirroring her own mother’s drug-shattered life which ended when she shot herself, leaving Lori at twelve-years-old…about the age of Lori’s three kids.

    She voluntarily entered an intensive addictions treatment program and made dramatic steps to rebuild her life; working exhaustive hours as a waitress and bartender, enrolling in a full time college program, and devoting herself to her 3 children aged 12, 14, and 18.

    Lori is now clean and optimistic about her family’s future. She has made some huge strides in her struggle to overcome her tragic history. She is aware, however, of the pitfalls around every corner and she is anxious that her children make choices different than her own.

    Lori sits in her yard in a rare down moment.

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