"Courage is standing often on my knees, in the presence of toxic silence, rage and hostility; my truth sees the fragile spirit of a child needing consistency of love without shame or judgment."

 

--Leyla Fatima

Parenting the Addict Child & Leyla Fatima

Leyla Fatima is a writer whose columns were featured in The Orange County Register, “Parenting From The Foxhole” which was the inspiration behind her Nationally syndicated talk radio show on CBS owned Los Angeles based 97.1 FM- KLSX. The recent format change for CBS from FM Talk to music brought about Fatima taking her show to an even greater public medium. Her youngest son was in long-term treatment at the age of 16 and the eldest was a mandatory participant in a drug court program due to multiple drug charges in Southern California. Leyla’s popularity is due to her unique ability to address the complex and painful issues that parents face, from the parent’s perspective. With her soulful spot-on and often humorous approach at the insanity families live with creates in instant bond with her readers and listeners alike. Her family’s often grim circumstances over the years along with their triumphs continue to forge the path of her mission in changing public policies and perception on alcoholism and addiction.

“Henry Ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience is the thing of supreme value in life. That is true only if one is willing to turn the past to good account. We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets. The alcoholic’s past thus becomes the principle asset of the family and frequently it is almost the only one! The painful past may be of infinite value to other families still struggling with their problem”

--AA Big Book