My name is Dani Rios.

I am a RECONNECTED Foundation Peer Support Specialist. Originally from Chile, I currently live in Avon, Colorado.  I relocated to Vail in 2009 to immerse myself in the culture and learn English. It was going to be a few months of work and then return to finish my career back home, but life had a different plan and now Colorado is home for me, my baby boy and my dog (she is from Chile too).

I am recently exploring motherhood as a single mom. My recovery journey took a whole new depth and level of understanding because I am consistently working on healing myself in order to go deep in this rollercoaster called life. Every day I am reminded that my decision to stay in recovery is not based on my son, but my willingness to go through the obstacles and joys of facing my disease every single day.

I am trained in Motivational Interviewing, worked for 2 years as an Intensive Case Management Specialist & I am certified in different Parenting Trainings.

I have been in recovery since 2012, I used alcohol and other substances to quiet the mind, deal with unresolved trauma & escape what I was going through in life. Until the use of external stuff was not working and I needed more and more. I finally surrendered in 2019, I applied for funds and I was admitted into rehab for a month. My life changed and my search on how to fulfill that emptiness inside my chest had an answer. I accepted God in my life.

My role as a peer support specialist is to relate with others, bring hope and authenticity to the people I work with, but most importantly talk of all the different layers recovery offers. It is a journey not a destination, there is no prescription or cure but we can work towards healing.

Some things that I love doing today are drink a warm cup of coffee, talk and listen to my friends and family, cook while listening to music and travel with my son. 

“Some people cannot be cured, but everyone can heal.” 

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