July 29, 2015

Goodbye and Good Luck – Off to RDAP!

As I write this, my best friend here at the Taft camp – David K – is on a bus headed for the prison camp at Sheridan, Oregon where he will begin the Residential Drug Abuse program (RDAP). RDAP is a 9 month program for federal inmates who have documented substance abuse prior to their incarceration. If he completes the program successfully – and I know he will – he will get one year off of his sentence. In addition, he will learn tools that will help him live a successful and fulfilling life once he is released later next year.

I am very happy for David and am so excited that he is moving on to the next part of his journey. But I am also quite sad as I will miss our daily walks in the evening. I’ll miss his easy smile, how he made me laugh and – most importantly – having someone to talk to who I completely trust and who really cares about me. I truly never expected that to happen when I got here – even though I actually met David briefly before he surrendered back in mid-August of last year. Kenny and I had met David’s partner Branden when he was working at the Copa in Palm Springs. We became Facebook friends with Branden (of course!). In late July, Branden posted that he was really going through an incredibly rough time. I private messaged Branden and asked what was going on and if there was anything I could do. He messaged me back that his partner of 7 years was about to surrender to the prison camp at Taft! What are the odds? Branden and David were kind enough to come over to our trailer a week before David was to surrender (and three weeks before I was to be sentenced).

I cannot overstate how much easier my transition was here because of David. He took me under his wing, showed me the ropes and patiently answered all of my stupid questions. He introduced me to good people and made me feel like everything was going to be OK. He’s kind, generous and has a big heart. Oddly though, he was one of those people who did not realize all of his great qualities – something I see a lot of here. I say “did” though because I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in him over the past six months. He’s done some great work here that will serve him well in life and RDAP will only help. You are a lucky man, Branden!

So here’s to you, my friend! Sheridan is fortunate to have your smiling face and I look forward to seeing you again!

David Applegate

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