The Reginald & Dionne Smith Foundation

10/07/2026

07 October

Harmony, Alignment, and Balance

Page 290

"When our bodies, minds, and spirits are in harmony, our lives show the difference. We are able to live in balance."

Living Clean, Chapter 3, "A Spiritual Journey"

Addicts arrive in--or return to--NA with our lives in turmoil and out of balance. Our health is in the toilet. Mentally, we are all over the map. Spiritually, we are in a blackout.

Though we may not all be at the same degree of chaos, no one bounds happily through the door of their first NA meeting--or our first one after a relapse--feeling stable and whole. We stagger or slink or sidle in. We come to NA after a brush with the law and sometimes while incarcerated. We're pushed in by family or rehab or dragged in by an NA member we used to get high with--or stayed clean with. There's some truth in the familiar wisecrack, "We are some sick puppies!"

Since our journeys in recovery most often begin with the elimination of substances, our health often improves first. Our minds dip back into friendly territory, though the visits may not be as long as we'd like. Through attending meetings, working Steps, and building relationships with other members, we begin to awaken spiritually. Not all of us label it that way, or maybe we don't have words for it, but something inside of us is shifting. Outside of us, our behavior is definitely shifting. By taking commitments, showing up for others, acting "right," we stay clean.

Whether we believe this is the work of a loving Higher Power or we're doing it because our sponsor told us to (because it's "spiritual"), our inner chaos lessens, and our outward stability increases. The lights come on, and they aren't so easily extinguished by the wind and rain that keep coming at us--because that's life.

I will take stock today of how I am physically, mentally, and spiritually. What can I do to establish some balance and spark some harmony?

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10/06/2026

🗳️ Know your choices before you vote!
Visit https://mvp.sos.ga.gov, enter the information requested, and click “View My Sample Ballot” just under the box with your personal information.
Open your November 3 sample ballot, then read and save it. A sample ballot is a preview—not your official ballot.


Image Description:
Find your sample ballot: Cartoon wheelchair user and man with a white cane explore a laptop. Instructions and a QR code show how to find your ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

10/05/2026

🚨 Important Update! 🚨 The CDC plans to eliminate disability questions from its federal health survey, which could impact vital data on health disparities. 😕 Let's raise awareness about this decision and advocate for the inclusion of disability in health reporting!

10/05/2026

Live in GA?

⏰ HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION?

October 5 is the deadline to register to vote for Georgia's 2026 General Election.

Already registered? It is still worth checking.

Your registration information may have changed since the last election. A few minutes today can help you avoid surprises later.

Check your registration. Then make your voting plan.

Georgia My Voter Page (https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/)

📅 Registration deadline: October 5, 2026

10/01/2026

From T’s Table:
Someone shared this, and it got me thinking. What do you think about it?
Imagine walking into a peer recovery support meeting or a recovery retreat planned and hosted entirely by blind peers in recovery.
You walk in ready to work on your wellness and share your journey, but at the sign-in table, the check-in sheet and contact list are entirely in Braille. You cannot read them. A friendly peer says, "Do not worry, I will write your information down for you."
The meeting materials, daily readings, and 12-step literature on the tables are all in Braille. There is no large print and no standard print. A peer sitting next to you offers to read each passage aloud so you can follow along.
During the break, coffee and snacks are set out. Every single container and flavor label is embossed in Braille. You stand there waiting, needing to ask someone what is in each cup and each wrapper before you can make a choice for yourself. Everyone is kind and welcoming, but your freedom of choice is gone.
In the breakout group, the facilitator hands out the personal inventory worksheet and reflection prompts. They are all in Braille. While other peers dive straight into their self-reflection, your partner has to read every question to you. People pat you on the back and say, "You are doing great," but you do not feel empowered. You feel completely dependent.
At the end of the meeting, the chairperson announces, "We are so grateful to have our sighted friend with us tonight. We want sighted people to know you are always welcome in our recovery space." Everyone claps with warmth and genuine love.
You appreciate their kindness, but inside, you feel exhausted. Everyone treated you like family, yet the meeting environment was never built for you to participate on your own terms.
As you walk out the door, a greeter hands you a survey asking for feedback on your recovery experience. It is printed in Braille.
Kindness is not accessibility.
Having a helper is not independence. Being invited into a recovery meeting is not the same as having equal access to recovery tools.
Now, flip the story.
This is what many blind peers face every week when walking into community recovery rooms, church basements, and treatment centers.
Think of the blind person handed a paper 12-step worksheet or recovery journal with no digital or accessible format.
Think of the blind peer who cannot read the daily meditation cards placed around the circle.
Think of the person in early recovery who has to give up their privacy just to have someone read their personal step work aloud.
Peer support is built on equality, self-direction, and mutual respect. Real access means creating spaces where every person can work their program, make their own choices, and build their recovery without having to ask for help every step of the way.

09/30/2026

🌟 Did you know? Service animals play a crucial role in assisting individuals with disabilities! 🐾 Check out this resource on the ADA’s guidelines, rights, and responsibilities concerning service animals. Let’s spread awareness and support accessibility for all! 🙌💙