Reaching people, saving lives

Winnipeg

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This article was published 06/09/2023 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg resident Ian Rabb was a doctor of optometry, practicing in Chicago, before he lost everything and found himself on the street and in trouble with the law. The self-described “everything-addict” back then was going up on meth and down on Vicodin. After being arrested seven times in the U.S. he returned to Canada, where he was born, and got clean and sober.

Now, with over 20 years of sobriety, Rabb has been putting his time and energy into advocating tirelessly for health and wellness and giving people hope for recovery.

The interventionist, who will be seen on A & E’s popular Intervention series — returning this fall in both Canada and the U.S. — is also managing director at Kelburn Recovery Centre, and founder and board chair of Two Ten Recovery and Destiny House, Winnipeg’s only sober-living housing organization. Rabb was the visionary founding member of Aurora Recovery Centre in Gimli, and created Spirit Rising House in 2021, a private service provider of foster care with youth stabilization and wrap-around treatment and mental health services in the homes.

Rabb is part of a larger community of people hosting this year’s Recovery Day on Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CN Festival Field at The Forks. Started in B.C. about ten years ago, Recovery Day aims to reduce stigma connected to mental health and addiction, and acknowledge and celebrate those who have recovered. The free, family-friendly event is open to all, in or out of recovery, and will see 40 agencies come together to provide resources for those looking for help, and for their families.

Musical legend Arnold McCuller, with a decades-long history of singing with the likes of James Taylor, Carole King, and Phil Collins, will play a few tunes and give a special keynote address. The renowned vocalist and musician is also a Certified Intervention Professional who has passionately worked towards helping people with substance abuse and mental health issues.

“We are so honoured to have such a prolific musician and artist who has now dedicated his life to recovery,” said Rabb. “He is somebody that I look up to as an interventionist and a recovery champion and we are so lucky to have someone like him come to Winnipeg to share his story.”

Following the keynote address, the community resource tent will open, offering information from a diverse range of local organizations that provide mental health services, including the Canadian Mental Health Association and non-profit residential treatment recovery centres like Bruce Oake and Kelburn. The afternoon’s festivities will continue with entertainment for kids and families, food trucks, and a non-mimic mocktail patio hosted by the Sobr Market.

Recovery Day, held every year during recovery month in September, hopes to inspire and invite others on the path to recovery through the sharing of voices and stories.

“It’s been very difficult the last three years,” said Rabb, pointing to skyrocketing overdose and suicide rates, post-pandemic. “We have a mental health crisis, which in turn creates a drug crisis. More resources are needed.”

By breaking through the stigma, Recovery Day is a catalyst towards an expanding and much-needed optimistic conversation.

“Recovery is attainable,” Rabb said. “We are reaching people and saving lives.”

For more information, visit www.recoverydaywinnipeg.ca