Paramedic Is Surprised By The Transformation Of A Drug Addict She Helped 14 Years Ago

Sometimes, no matter how desperate things can seem, a small act of kindness can make all the difference. Take this story, originally published by Love What Matters, for example.

Image credits: jeanah.nomelli

One fateful day, 14 years ago, Jeanah Nomelli came across Will Levens scrabbling through a dumpster looking for recyclables. Will was at rock bottom at the time, hopelessly addicted to drugs after the tragic death of his wife, homeless, jobless and destitute.

She helped him out in what little way that she could, and they became friends.

Paramedic Is Surprised By The Transformation Of A Drug Addict She Helped 14 Years Ago

Jeanah could quite easily have ignored Will, seeing him as yet another lost soul who had fallen through the cracks of society. But she saw through his shabby, unkempt exterior and found that he had a heart of gold, and he deserved a second chance at life.

Paramedic Is Surprised By The Transformation Of A Drug Addict She Helped 14 Years Ago

The heartwarming little tale of redemption touched thousands of people, having been shared more than 23K times and starting conversations about kindness, empathy and the humane treatment of people that may be struggling with addiction issues.

Jeanah is a paramedic, and addiction is something that, sadly, she encounters all too often. “Dealing with homelessness and addiction is part of our DAILY routine in Stanislaus County,” she told Bored Panda.

“I have always been an advocate for humanity. I believe we have a unique opportunity to share positivity and love during our trip to the ER- no matter who the patient is. I regularly remind addicts that they have a place in the world and encourage them to see themselves as mentors for those also struggling with addiction.”

“Unfortunately, my family has been plagued with addiction. It’s because of them that I have the gift of seeing the human behind the addiction. My advice is one of hope. Never give up. See yourself through our Creator’s eyes. You are worthy of life- because you are still breathing. Live your purpose- no matter the struggle along the way!”

Paramedic Is Surprised By The Transformation Of A Drug Addict She Helped 14 Years Ago

Image credits: Will Levens

Jeanah and Will plan to keep in touch from now on and renew the friendship they once had. For anyone interested in Will’s full story, there is more on the way. “I am going to help him make a video sharing his personal journey, from dumpster to today,” Jeanah told us. “It’s easier for him to speak his story rather than write it.”

What do you think? Do we show enough empathy and understanding toward homeless people? Do you know anybody struggling with addiction issues? Does the current system of criminalizing addiction and homelessness really work? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Here’s what people had to say about the wholesome story

Paramedic Is Surprised By The Transformation Of A Drug Addict She Helped 14 Years Ago

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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James is a Bored Panda reporter who graduated with a BA in Peace And Conflict Studies and an MA in African Affairs. Before Bored Panda, he was an English teacher and also travelled a lot, doing odd jobs from beer-slinging to brickie's labourer and freelance journalism along the way. James loves covering stories about social and environmental issues and prefers to highlight the positive things that unite us, rather than petty internet squabbles about fictional characters. James is the grumpy, contradictory one who thinks that Bored Panda, due to its large audience, has a social responsibility to inspire and inform its readers with interesting issues and entertaining, well-researched stories. Let's do our bit to make our little corner of the internet a smarter, more truthful and less angry place!

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What do you think ?

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William Burkin 5 years ago

hopefully no one will come by and start talking about the US healthcare system and let this feel good story be

14points

Full Name 5 years ago

I haven't read the comments yet, but I guarantee people will read all of this and only comment on the God part. Update: Thankfully only two. Nobody talking about the healthcare system yet either. Most people are just enjoying this wonderful story. Sometimes it doesn't take much kindness to really change someone's life.

10points

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Monika Soffronow 5 years ago

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Carol Emory 5 years ago

I have a friend that is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I help him with his college courses and he tells me interesting stories about his experiences. He tells me the other day how his roommate, a drug addict, yelled at him because he didn't clean up the kitchen from the mess he made while cooking. Problem was, he hadn't been in the kitchen in 3 days because he was constantly out of the house. He said he knows she made the mess, probably while she was high. He said he wanted to yell at her, but remembered his past experience with drugs and how he sometimes did things he couldn't remember. Although he wants and has offered to get her help, she refuses to get it. So he did the only thing he could...told her that, if things don't change by January, he's leaving. She's become apologetic and nice to him, but he's drawn the line in the sand..get help or he's gone. It's the right decision. He can only do so much without putting himself in harms way I pray for him.

7points