![Mr. Story sits with his older brother Jimmy in Grovetown. "I felt like his father," Jimmy Story said. "I helped raise him. I took him fishing, on dates, racing and everywhere I went." Annette M. Drowlette/Staff](http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/42/428196.jpg "Mr. Story sits with his older brother Jimmy in Grovetown. "I felt like his father," Jimmy Story said. "I helped raise him. I took him fishing, on dates, racing and everywhere I went." Annette M. Drowlette/Staff")
![Dale Story rests at his Grovetown home with his cat, Daisy. He is on oxygen all the time and tires easily. "I feel like I'm on a leash with this oxygen," he said. Annette M. Drowlette/Staff](http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/42/428197.jpg "Dale Story rests at his Grovetown home with his cat, Daisy. He is on oxygen all the time and tires easily. "I feel like I'm on a leash with this oxygen," he said. Annette M. Drowlette/Staff")
Bless you brother.
Dale Story beat the odds and conquered a crack cocaine addiction of 18 years, but now he's facing a more insidious foe: a deadly lung disease.
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He was diagnosed in 2003 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has left him with just a quarter of one lung functioning. Most people live five or six years after diagnosis. Doctors say Mr. Story's disease has progressed to the point that he might not see his 49th birthday May 16.
"I should be dead by now," Mr. Story said.
The disease has already robbed him of his mobility, tethering him to an oxygen machine that fills his Grovetown home with a sound like a churning dishwasher.
"It's hard to see him suffering and me not able to do anything about it," said Josie Story, his wife of 14 months. "I love him regardless of what his health is. I'm just thankful of whatever time we can be together. I'd do anything for him and wish I could fix it."
The disease, which is unrelated to his addiction, hasn't robbed him of his resolve. Mr. Story wants to relate his experiences as a crack addict, a cautionary tale he hopes might save someone from similar woes.
"God has a plan for me," he said. "I hope if one person hears my story, they won't do crack. There is a 95 to 98 percent chance the first time you try it you will be addicted. I don't want people to think one day I woke up and chose to become a drug addict. It chose me."
A desperate life
The high from smoking crack lasts only about a minute, Mr. Story said. It is more intense than shooting up cocaine, though the high from coke can last as long as five minutes.
"As an addict, you are always chasing that very first high from crack," Mr. Story said. "You'll never get it again." He started a life of drugs around age 13, first with marijuana, then cocaine, then crack. The drugs cost him money, anguish and the relationships he once held dear.
He deeply hurt his former wife and her two children. He was estranged from his older brother, Jimmy, for nearly 12 years. He stole from his mother and pawned just about anything he could get his hands on.
"When I would buy something, the thought that ran through my mind was how much I could get when I pawned it," Mr. Story said.
Josie Williams met Mr. Story in 2001, and she never saw him high. He was likeable and easy to talk to, she said, but family members had warned her not to trust him when he was using.
She knew he was a drug addict, but that was no preparation for what lay ahead.
"I didn't have a clue to what that actually meant, or how serious that was," Mrs. Story said. "He taught me more about crack cocaine and drug addiction in just a few months than what I would have learned in a lifetime."
Mr. Story would go on binges and not communicate for a week at a time. When he would finally call, she was relieved.
"I would get mad at myself because I couldn't stay mad at him," she said.
Once, he took 30 of her country music CDs and pawned them for $10. He also stole her video camera.
By that time, Mrs. Story knew to keep her money and jewelry hidden. To her surprise, he later returned the items and paid her back for the bills she covered.
Jimmy Story, 15 years his senior, taught his brother the cabinetmaking business and employed him for many years until the crack addiction overpowered his job and their relationship.
Although angry at his brother's habit, Jimmy let him keep his job until finally firing him in 1993.
"My other employees were not happy about me letting him come back to work for me because I never put up with drugs," Jimmy said. "I kept giving his job back until I fired him for good."
Dale went drug-free dozens of times. He once went 111/2 months without using, but was always pulled back down into the crack.
"A crack addict will do anything in the world to get crack," his brother said.
Though Dale never stole from Jimmy, he did steal from their mother.
"That was the one thing that turned me away from him," his brother said. "I didn't hate him. But I didn't like him, and I didn't want him around. He would lie and tell stories and borrow money from people at work and never pay them back."
Their mother, Dorothy, died in 2001 and never got to see her youngest son break free from addiction.
Recovery
Dale credits his parole officer with saving his life. He had been sent to jail for five months for not taking a drug test. He said he was never even tempted to use while incarcerated and has been clean since his release in November 2002.
He credits part of his rehabilitation to his faith in Jesus Christ over the past five years. He and his wife attend a Grovetown Pentecostal church.
Redemption
Family ties proved stronger than a crack habit. The Storys believe that with God, all things are possible.
Jimmy employed his brother again in 2002, shortly after his last prison sentence.
"He promised me he would never do drugs again," Jimmy said. "I didn't really believe him, but because I loved him I took him back, and he's a really hard worker."
Dale Story continued to work until July 2007. By then, the lung disease had forced him to be on oxygen permanently.
Jimmy reflected on his drug-free brother:
"He was always a good person. Even in his crack days, he would help people and give you the shirt off his back. Everyone liked him."
GET HELP
BRADFORD HEALTH SERVICES: For drug and alcohol rehab; (706) 854-1126
HOPE HOMES: For drug and alcohol rehab; (803) 278-2659
HOPE HOUSE: For women only; (706) 737-9879
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: www.na.org, (706) 855-2419
SALVATION ARMY: For men only; (706) 826-7933
Comments
Bless you brother.
Good story but the referance to Bradford at the end is a joke, that place is nothing but a sham to get your money. and I speak from first hand knowledge.
There is one hope for his health that he may not know about and it is called NAET. To find out more go to www.ajouneytohealth.net They do amazing things everyday. This method is cheap, non-invasive, quick, fun, and may be 50 years ahead of the medical establishment.
Moparman30909 - you are abosolutely correct in your refrence to BRADFORD - they are all about the money & not helping the addict - it's a shame people go there for help and all they get is disappointed - someome should investigate their business practices - I too speak from 1st hand knowledge.
Hang in their brother - the Lord is watching over you. Hang on to your faith in the Lord. God bless you & your family
EFT is a great help for addictions. Some are fixed in a few minutes. It is simple, the manual is free on the internet. EFT is running circles around other programs fixing in minutes problems people have had for years. Can't hurt, no meds, no side effects and basically free. There is one person in Augusta trained to do it that I know off. I have had a few courses but don't do it as a business.
Dale---you and Josie are in my prayers.
A.K.
justus4--how dare you!!! the article may not mention who is bearing the financial responsibility for his medical care, but that is NO reason to assume that he is relying on others to pay!! i also didn't read anywhere in there where he blamed anyone else for his addiction.
I know Mr Story and Mrs Story personally and they are wonderful people!
justus4-you are just a jerk. Every family rich or poor has some member that has a drug or alcolol problem. Mine included. My brother was as bad as they come and is now dead from abuse. My family paid for his treatment and did their best for him and employed him until he was too much to handle. We then put him in am apartment and paid for his food, rent and clothes. We did not depend on welfare checks, SSI or any other type of check handed out to the lazy people who sit on their big butts on the front porch drinking beer and making babies.
Dale, I have known you since you were just a small boy and was so cute and mischevious. There were times when I did not like the things you did, but always loved you. I love your siblings and your Mother treated me as if I was one of her own. I pray for you Dale and I know God answers prayers. You are courageous and kind and God loves you and I love you too.
Hang in there Dale and keep your faith.
Amanda
justus4- if you had bothered to read the article you would see that his lung disease is not associated with his use of crack. As far as for who's paying his bills, his wife has health insurance. That's the problem the greedy health insurance company keeps turning down his lung transplant operation, although clearly he needs it. When he could work he would work circles around people half his age. It drives him crazy to not be working, he loves it and is really good at it. He has made some of the most beautiful cabinets that I have ever seen. He just wants the chance to go back to work and help people. That's why he is sharing his story, not for sympathy but because if he can keep just one person from trying drugs, then maybe this story helped. I just hope he'll get the lung transplant and be able to speak to people about what drugs can cause you. I am his niece and I love him very much, we have become very close over the last couple of years and I know If I ever needed anything he would be there for me, no questions asked. We are a very close knit family and we love Dale and want him around for a very long time. After all he promised to build my cabinets when I build my house.
justus4- If you actually knew Dale, you wouldn't be saying those things. He's an amazing, honest, virtuous, strong person. Anyone who's met him would agree with me. The fact that he chose to share his story only goes to show that he wanted to help people. He always wants to help people, because he's a good person. I'm only 17 years old, and even I can see that. For someone like you to come along and insult him without even knowing who he is, it's a cowardly thing. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Assuming is a bad habit, you should really stop it. People like you make me so angry. So, next time you decide to trashtalk someone without the evidence to back it up, maybe you'll think twice.
I would rather read an uplifting story about a productive member of society than about a former crack-head.It's a shame he was a crack-head but who forced him to do it.Now don't get me wrong,I'm glad he's turning his life around,But,I don't see that as anything special to proud of.
I ran out of space before I could say that the insurance company denying his claim, time after time even though they have been paying for the treatment since he was diagnosed with this disease is BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD. They have known the entire time that he was going to have to have a lung transplant and yet they keep denying the procedure based on one of their doctors, that isn't a lung specialist and has never even met Dale. I guess they are hoping he'll die before they have to do something. The lung specialist at the MAYO CLINIC have said that Dale is an excellent candidate for the surgery. What's the point in having health insurance if they refuse to take care of your health. Please pass this message along to everyone you know, maybe that will force BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD to do the RIGHT thing. SEND THIS MESSAGE TO DR. PHIL, OPRAH, MONTEL, anybody willing to stand up to the insurance companies for the little guy.
adam you must be one of those people who never had something happen in your life but having your spoon yanked away. people like you make me sick
I will just pray. Don't expect people to understand the story unless they have loved someone with "the problem". Like he said, If we can just get these kids never to try it!
Me and mom are praying for you(amber and angie)...i hope you get this...and to justus4 and adam ya'll need to really think about what you guys say....the disease wasn't even from his addiction if you actually read the article...
WE LOVE YOU DALE!!!!
Dale, If you were my friend from Evans High School, then I remember you as being a very good looking and sweet guy. You were a good friend to everybody and you always had a big smile. I am sorry you are sick and I will keep you in my prayers. My name is Gina and I suppose I was the only girl from EHS with that name back then. Bless you my friend!
Dale, I have known you for many, many years and I have now, under very bad circumstances, met your wife. I want you to know that I was glad to see you and see you doing so well and see that you found someone that really loves you and is there for you! You have always, in your heart, been the most loving caring person that the lord could have ever blessed upon us! Through all of your ups and downs in life, you made some bad mistakes and I am one that can honestly say, that you have made some damn good choices at times! You were there for me and you have always been in my thoughts and my prayers and I will never forget grandma teaching me how to cook the first meal that I ever made to make diner for you!! And I will neverforget..."Joan Jett". Josie, I am so sorry for your loss and I wish you and your family all of the best through such a tragic time, I can honestley say, I know EXACTLY what you are going through right now. We did not wait, we decided to go ahead and let her go after you two went home. Thank you for being so good for Dale! Take care of each other while you have each other and Dale, I want you to know that I love you and I am proud of you! Luv, Julie
Well,moparman 30909, If the fact that I am a productive member of society who works for a living,pays his taxes,owes noone anything and has never been in trouble with the law makes you sick.You might want to reevaluate your moral and ethical standards...or perhaps there is a more personal reason why you have such sympathy for the dregs of society,hmmmm?
I mean really,come on,the man stated that crack chose him,that's about all I needed to hear.That is so blatantly ridiculous as to be insulting...What? He didn't have to place it in a crackpipe and inhale like all the other junkies??? Unbelievable!! Hope his wife enjoys his social security money when he goes toes up.
Justus4 & adam, everyone can see that you're the type to judge. A quick look of the past and you see one thing wrong, you have to pick it out, and hold it over the mans head. This article is not to swindle you, it has nothing to do with you. This man has turned his life around. If this were thousands of years ago, and Jesus said "he who has not sinned, cast the first stone," you all would drop them like they were hot potatoes.
Ppl like you Adam make me sick. Just because you were blessed with the perfect life doesn't mean others have had the same oppurtunities as you. Everyone wasn't born with a spoon in their mouths.
Better a spoon than a crack-pipe you pathetic druggies.
Dale,
I love you so much! And i know that you dont have any kids but always remember that i will always be your little girl. And that i will always be here for you!! Im so proud of you because you finally stopped! and that means a lot to us. And if the blue cross blue shield would do what they said they would do you would be here with us a lot longer! And if i had the money i would pay for it so that i could have my uncle here with me longer! Well i love you so much!
love,
samantha story
Adam, if it bothers you so much to read articles like this one, close the website and don't bother the rest of us with unpleasant comments. There are many of us who like seeing a story about the "human spirit" and think that all humans have value no matter what their situation. I am not a "pathetic druggie" as you characterize us. In fact, I have never used or been interested in using drugs. I am a grandmother who has lived a long life and hope that God doesn't look at me with the same magnifier that you seem to use on everyone. Life can be wonderful if you try to look at the joy instead of letting things cause you such grief.
One more thing, Adam. It isn't sympathy people feel for Dale, it is a word known as COMPASSION. We learned it from one who really WAS perfect.
NCDawgFan,Well,You don't have to read my comments,either,Just close down the web site and you won't be bothered. I think you have a lot of nerve to suggest I have compassion for an admitted crack-head that stold from his mother.Some uplifting "human spirit" there,for sure.And the one who really was perfect gave me a discerning mind.So I'll leave you alone now so you can drink some more koolaid and sing kumbayah or whatever you do in your fantasy world. and to prove I am a nice guy,I hope some crack-head dosen't off you or any of your family members,but if they do,I'll be sure to show them some"compassion". OK?
seriously adam...the things you say you need to think about. this man was addicted to crack cocaine...and he changed that. he's been clean for over 5 years now. and seriously me and my family are very proud of him. he is my family and josie too. the things you say are uncalled for. the truth is you have no sympathy, compassion...basically you have no heart to notice that this man had turned his life just around to have it all come to a standstill from this disease. that has no affiliation to his addiction. so yes, people do sympathize his situation...i'm not saying you have to but stop putting down my family... my blood. the things you say offend all of us. so just have a heart. plus if you didn't care you wouldnt keep comming back to the article to keep arguing about the situation.
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