‘It’s priceless’: Recovery brings special meaning to fatherhood for Hamilton man

Three years ago, Kyle Scott was given nine months to live.

He was drinking a 40-ouncer of whisky a day and his stomach was lined with ulcers. When he entered detox for the third time at Men's Addiction Services Hamilton (MASH) in mid-August 2017, all he wanted was one more day" to live.

Three years later, he's had more than a thousand extra and counting.

I haven't looked back since," said Scott. It gave me an opportunity to find who I was inside myself."

Recovery for Scott began six years ago when he walked into the facility on Main Street East. The first time he stayed for two days. The second time he stayed for two weeks.

Then one day, after waking up at a friend's house, Scott was unable to lift a drink to his mouth, which had become a bit of a morning ritual for the now 33-year-old. He had been drinking heavily for a number of years, an illness that only swelled when his father Brian died of cancer in 2012.

I either wanted to give up or I needed to get help," said Scott. I always knew I could go back."

Shortly after that day, he made his way back to MASH, operated by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. And as the saying goes, the third time's a charm.

A walking piece of hope'

When asked for words to describe Scott, Sonya Sethi-Rankin, the centre's clinical supervisor, lands on one term she coined herself: he's a hope maker.

The centre, located in the city's east end, offers a residential-style space for men 16 years and older to go through withdrawal from substance abuse. Behind its doors, they provide support programs and a safe spot to assist in their client's path to recovery.

Through sobriety, Scott has since become a volunteer and frequent face around the centre. He acts as a sponsor for other men and often gives talks about recovery. Prior to COVID-19, he also drove clients to 12-step programs and now he lends support virtually and over the phone.

In the last few weeks, he's also started an asphalt company with a business partner.

By sharing his story, Sethi-Rankin said Scott shows the men that come through their doors that life can change for the better. Most of their clients have lost their families, relationships, jobs and their self-esteem through their battle with addiction.

Without that hope, they don't do well," said Sethi-Rankin.

Scott's presence has changed that for those he's met, she added.

He's a walking piece of hope," said Sethi-Rankin. For somebody to reinstate that message and respark the hope ... it goes such a long way."

Being able to share his story and give it back" is key for his recovery, said Scott.

The only way I stay sober is by helping other people," said Scott. It's very humbling when you can have the chance to help somebody else out in the same spot."

They're my heroes'

One of the many gifts sobriety has given Scott is his ability to be a dad to his three children.

This Father's Day marks the first time his daughters Raeya and Kya have a room of their own at his house.

Scott said he's able to talk to them, be there for them in their times of need and even mentor them, both things he was unable to do before recovery.

I'm able to show them love because I was finally able to love myself," said Scott. I wouldn't trade being a dad today for anything in the world."

Scott said even with July 29 this year marking eight years since his father died, recovery has also allowed him to become a better son.

He admits the two didn't have a perfect relationship, but in his honour, Scott has named his asphalt company Tri Us" Asphalt & Property Maintenance after his dad's shop Tri "Us" Auto Service.

He's also continued on his father's legacy by playing Santa Claus at Juravinski Hospital, with this Christmas set to mark his first at McMaster Children's Hospital.

He taught me life lessons that I use today to help better myself," he said. I get an opportunity to be able to do things in memory of him ... the gifts I have today, it's priceless."

Instilling those life lessons paired with his sobriety, Scott said his daughters and his son Tryce look at him as if he's their hero, even knowing his struggle. He's explained it to them openly and honestly.

Little do they know, they're my heroes," he added.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com