Colin

My name is Colin Fleming. I am a guitarist, songwriter, designer and artist based in Randburg, Johannesburg.

I am not asking for a handout to cover ordinary living costs. I am asking for the equivalent of a fishing rod: practical equipment that will allow me to perform, create and earn for myself.

Around twelve years ago, I nearly died from addiction and liver cirrhosis. I had lost almost everything and was admitted to hospital bleeding internally. I was told I might have only a year left to live.

Somewhere in that darkness, I decided: no, man, this is not how it ends.

Recovery was neither quick nor graceful. I stopped drinking, fought through further dependency, and slowly rebuilt my physical and mental health. A year later, instead of saying goodbye to my life, I was able to say goodbye to the hospital.

The mental recovery took much longer. Eventually, I qualified as an addiction recovery coach. For several years I worked with addicts and their families, often in their homes, and also took part in community work and radio interviews about addiction...