This transplant from the Chicago projects and sweet soul meets me at Kitchen Table Studios to tell me his come up story. From childhood instability and addiction coupled with poor choices and rough crowds, Thomas was destined to fall through the cracks.

 Listen as Thomas rebounds from getting shot twice in one week, losing jobs, losing relationships, losing kids, selling drugs, abusing booze and several DUIs. Along the way he functioned through work and coaching his daughter's basketball team; fueled by ego and pride. Thomas missed the final opportunity to see his sister the night before she died. He chose booze over visiting her. This final price he paid became the pivot point that led him to Champaign for treatment. He used every available resource to slowly climb his way into an ethical, hard working steward for others in need with a recovery house for men who want to turn their lives around. Now, a people person, he prides himself on "turning someone's worst day into their best day."

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don’t want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I’ve created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospect

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