Jul 29, 2022
CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, Bean shares her experiences with domestic violence and with suicidal ideation.
Bean Gill joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss how a virus taking the use of her legs eventually led her on a path towards sobriety. Bean talks about how she used alcohol to cope with an abusive marriage, how she ultimately learned to connect with feelings and emotions without numbing them, and where she uncovered the courage and bravery to speak her truth. Bean shares her experience as a South Asian woman in the sober and disability communities, how she navigates the pressure to drink as a sober person, and how ownership and agency has helped her reclaim her power. Bean shares what her story would be called: "Welcome to the Jungle."
Bean Gill is a Canadian-born South Asian woman, who describes herself as an “accidental advocate” after a virus paralyzed her from the waist down ten years ago. Now Bean runs the non-profit she co-founded, ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre, and uses her voice to raise awareness for disability rights, inclusion, and diversity. Bean is the reigning Miss Wheelchair Canada, won Global's Woman of Vision award, and was recognized by Mattel as one of Canada's top 60 inspiring women as part of Barbie's 60th Anniversary. She also won Top 40 Under 40 in 2019 and RBC's Women of Influence Award in the Ones to Watch category, a few steps forward in her plan to change the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Breaking away from society’s programming and recognizing your self-worth.
- Re-discovering her new identity after becoming paralyzed and suffering from alcohol use disorder.
- Taking ownership of your life and overcoming the victim mentality.
- Bean’s major turning point when she realized she had an alcohol problem.
Resources mentioned:
- Episode 4 - “Like a Mother” with Jyoti Chand of @mamajotes.
- Episode 9 - “Finding Freedom” with Payal Desai of @payalforstyle.
- Check out Beth’s viral TikTok - "Alcohol is a Class 1 Carcinogen" here.
Connect with Bean:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/branzoid/
Website - https://www.reyu.ca/
Support Sober Stories:
Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories
Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories
Receive email updates
From our sponsors:
Save 20% off your first Ghia order with code ‘STORIES,’ at drinkghia.com.
Go to https://www.betterhelp.com/soberstories/ for 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help #sponsored
Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.