Deerfield

Every American small town relies on their unsung heroes and helpers who suit up and show up each day to unassuming, underpaid jobs in an effort to make the world a better place. Once he sobered up, Paul Durkin became one of those people around his hometown of Deerfield. But heroes and helpers have flaws that often hurt the people they love the most. When Paul's faults contribute to a horrible tragedy at home, his fall from grace and sobriety was swift and devastating. After isolating himself into a slow, calculated suicide, Paul is about to discover that recovery and redemption come in many forms, and often through the simple words and acts of the other unsung heroes surrounding him.

Most folks around Deerfield know that Paul Durkin used to drink too much. People also talk about when he managed to get sober for quite a long while and spent most of his time helping countless others in nearby parts who were struggling with addiction issues. Paul was hailed as a humble small-town hero back then. The sort of fellow who would do anything for anybody at anytime. Gossip also spreads through Deerfield in hushed tones about the odd and mysterious troubles that continued to grow in Paul's home. The louder busybodies around town speculate that he must have denied and ignored these issues until the horrible thing happened and Paul lost everything, including his sobriety. But Old-Timers sitting at recovery meetings in church basements around those parts know that most folks get sick and tired of being sick and tired eventually. They often say that change is the only constant in this life, and that recovery and redemption are available for anyone willing to get out of their own way and reach out for help. Several years into his fall from grace, Paul is about to be challenged to recover and rebuild from the ashes his life has become. He might also learn what the Old-Timers know about the true power of making amends with yourself and others while being humble enough to receive help from the countless unsung heroes in this world.

Brian Farr is a Professor of Substance Abuse Counseling who works with student interns in Upstate New York. He has been in recovery since 1996, and began his counseling career in 2000 working for a hospital where he continues to help educate and assist people impacted by the disease. He was a founding volunteer member of a Recovery Community Organization in his community that eventually opened one of the original six state-funded Recovery Community Centers in New York State. Brian served as the Board President for a local Prevention Council that provides services to schools and youth programs. He created First Step Consultation in 2010 and gives presentations about the use and abuse of substances at many schools, community organizations, and health centers. Brian's latest volunteer work is serving on the Board of a non-profit agency that offers services to LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families, where he is leading a committee to work with state agencies on expanding specific substance abuse counseling and services for these folks.