Spotlight Series – Myers Raymer
Myers Raymer – Alumni Relations, Origins Recovery
Sober since January 15th, 1988, Myers has spent the last 16 years traveling worldwide as a lecturer for 12-Step recovery groups. This experience led to his current role at Origins where he has worked for the past three years. Back in the ‘70s, Myers trained as a bookbinder and a book restorer. Before coming to Origins, Myers served as a conservationist for museums and libraries. He owned, and then sold, Raymer Bookbindery, Inc. but realized he missed the work so he recently opened another smaller bindery doing restorations on recovery books.
What brought you to Origins?
Chris Raymer, “the evil twin,” was working at Origins on Padre Island. He asked me to come down and visit, and I got a chance to talk to some of the clients. A few days after I got back to Dallas, I got a call from Origins asking me if I would be interested in working with their alumni department. I was negotiating the sale of my business in Dallas at the time, and it all sort of came together! Pretty neat-o!
If there were only one thing you could tell us about working in the area of treatment, what would it be?
I think most of the clients that I come in contact with – both in treatment and later as alumni – are caught off-guard by how cool recovery can actually be. Most feel it’s just going to be “life without the addiction,” but they soon discover a life of hope, promise, and great excitement waits.
What have you learned through your experience working in treatment?
Oh, three years has taught me that there is a world of stuff out there in “Treatment Land” that I am just starting to learn! Lots of this comes from listening to our clinical folks. Also, I was completely caught off-guard by how I would come to feel about our clients. NOBODY told me I would fall in love with some of these folks!
Do you hold any credentials or certifications, or do you participate in any other professional activities outside of work?
Lots of my time over the years has revolved around travel here and abroad for talks and workshops I do for folks in recovery. I also do these talks for professionals who have interests in addiction: doctors, law enforcement personnel, clergy, etc.
Are you in recovery yourself? If so, what do you love most about being in recovery?
I have been sober for 27 years. What I like most is seeing that my life can indeed count for something. I can, if I pay attention, see hundreds and hundreds of miracles as folks climb out of this crazy life of addiction. I also completely dig getting to see folks awaken to a real-life relationship with God. Nothing is sweeter!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Do you have any pets or engage in special hobbies?
I tend to be a bit of a hobby junkie. I am a private pilot, blacksmith, beekeeper and runner. I also like to cycle, surf and paddleboard. As of last week, I’m taking sailboard lessons…I’ll keep you posted on that!
Is there anything else you might like to share?
Not sure, but I might just be the luckiest guy I know! I get to stay sober, AND work with a bunch of cool folks. (Grateful, too, that Peter let us build our garden at ORC!)
Recovery is a lifelong process. Origins’ Alumni Services Team is dedicated to serving graduates in a number of ways including opportunities for service and ongoing support along with a variety of resources. Every client who has started his or her journey at one of our facilities is automatically a member of the Alumni Association. Volunteering, participating in community support groups and attending annual events are all ways in which alumni remain connected to Origins’ staff and their peers and contribute to the vitality of the recovery community at large. For more information regarding the many alumni programs of Origins Behavioral HealthCare where Myers Raymer works, please visit: www.originsrecovery.com.