Responses we have received from the website and through direct email to the recent Oprah show featuring Lisa and the film. This is why we decided to appear on the show. Like Lisa says in the film "Let's talk about it"!!!

Paul:

I guess you could say I was “Broken But Fixable” ... Three years ago I had my first hit of the pipe and everything went on a downward spiral real fast. I am not sure why I'm sending you this story. I lost my job of 14 years making seventy thousand annualy. Now I can get one for 8 dollars an hour. This is a tag-team story of me and my wife of 20 yrs. It is hard for me to tell this because I’m so ashamed, but if it helps anyone then all is not lost. I haven't had the chance to view your movie yet but I will, at the moment I'm just coming to the end of my own. For whatever reason we have finally stopped, yet jail once again looms around the corner. We have been there before, my wife, myself and my black Labrador retriever, though my dog"xxx" had nothing to with the $500,000.00 we obtained and spent over the three year period. We both fed her the "MacDonald" burgers they provided for us and she loved them. Thank you- there is so much more to this journey I’ve been on that its hard for me to put on paper. However thank you for letting people know it doesn't just happen to bad people. Thanks and good luck.

R.

Lisa:

Before I get to the point of this e-mail (which I am still not really sure what it is) I thought I would introduce myself. My name is T**** and I am a grade 12 student at The Bishop Strachan School. Despite the insane amount of guest speakers we have at our school, I don't think I will ever forget that day that you, Nicol and Paul came to speak to us. I have been following your blogs and your story closely, it has impacted me in a way I can't really articulate.

I even got the chance to see you on Oprah.Well, there as on that I wanted to send you this email today was because I was at MayFair today and I saw Nicol with her kids. I was so tempted to go talk to her, but I figured she probably wanted sometime with her kids, that wasn't ”CrackedNotBroken”.

I couldn't help but think that one day I know you will be taking your own daughter to things like that, where you two can hang out and just be you instead of "a sick mum" as you put it.

I hope this email comes across as inspirational rather than anything else, but who am I to know? I just want you to know that you have significantly impacted me and I know many other students that you have spoken to. Keep up the great work and 19 days of being sober (or so) is amazing.

I hope the road to recovery is more rewarding than challenging!

Thinking of you,

T****

Paul / Lisa:

I watched you yesterday on Oprah. I was a little disappointed with the lack of "in depth" coverage of Lisa's story but excited that Lisa was the lead story. I have been following the blog for awhile and have mentioned the film to everyone I know since I heard you on CBC. I want to tell you that I think you have done a great thing by filming Lisa and that she has done a tremendous thing by sharing her story.

Thank you.

Ali

Dear Lisa,

I read your blog with delight since I am a senior executive at Hythiam- the company behind the PROMETA protocol. I just wanted to let you know that we are all pulling for you and that you will find that PROMETA has made a big difference in your recovery. I spend a lot of time trying to understand how it works, but there’s nothing like hearing from real people (like you) who are willing to share your story with us. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to provide you with more information on this treatment or the efforts we have made in ensuring that everyone can receive this treatment for their addiction to cocaine, methamphetamine, or alcohol. Or just call if you can- it would be cool to hear from you in person!

Thank you for sharing.

Best Regards,

Sanjay Sabnani
SVP, Strategic Development
Hythiam
Tel:# 310 444 5335

Lisa:

I was very touched by your story. I became aware of the terrible impact prostitution and drugs have on women by reading Ann Rule's book GREEN RIVER RUNNING RED (2005). It is the story of Gary Ridgway, the so-called "Green River killer" who murdered over 48 women, most of them teens, who had been in prostitution. Many of them used drugs as well. Some of them did get out of the lifestyle; one, in particular, has never been found, and HER daughter is now a street prostitute as well. She was adopted after being placed in a foster home while her mother was serving a short jail sentence for prostitution. Her mother disappeared at that time and so another family adopted the little girl. I am sure you have a great deal of inner strength you don't even know you have, and you will indeed make a very successful recovery. I am glad that Oprah showed this film--I have not seen it yet but I will--as it makes more of us aware of what happens to others, and how unfair it all is. My best to you. J

Lisa's response...

Dear J.:

Thank-you so much for your e-mail. I am also aware of the Green River Killer and have seen shows on A&E regarding the murders and each time I say to myself "But for the Grace of God go I"

Thank-you so much for taking the time to e-mail me and offer your words of encouragement, I appreciate it.

Regards,

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I'm not sure if you'll remember me...we worked together at Hemingway’s in'95. I was a bartender there for a couple of years when you were managing. I saw the Oprah show yesterday & can't stop thinking about it & you & what happened to you.

First let me say that I was really disappointed in the show, not in you, but the way Oprah conducted the show. I felt you were barely allowed to get a full response in without Oprah turning it back to herself or making some glib comment. I've always loved her show, think she's a great philanthropist & that she aims to put more quality content in her show than we're able to find elsewhere on TV. But lately (& especially on the show yesterday) it seems like her ego has gotten the best of her & she's more interested in presenting her analysis or personal take on the situation than letting her guests speak for themselves & share their stories.

In any case, I was frustrated because I thought you had some interesting insights but weren't allowed to fully express them. I can understand that you might feel "used" all over again after the experience.

You should be proud of yourself for being brave & honest in sharing your story, not only in the documentary but on national television as well, it must have been a tough thing to do.

Anyway, I don't know where I'm going with all of this except to say I wish you the best in your recovery. From what I remember of you, you were smart & funny & very capable & I hope that you are able to enjoy your life to the fullest as you continue to get better.

Good luck Lisa, xo

A

Lisa:

Take care and keep in touch if you can. D.

Paul:

WOW saw the show FANTASTIC!! You should feel very proud of your accomplishments. As the Sinatra song goes –"You did it your way!" ..... Last night I woke up at 4:00 AM from a dream that reminded me once again of the importance of Art and me making it...I have to show you a video I made over 20 years ago that reflects an important element in your work...reflection and feedback being important aspects of the medium....it is titled "Off the Top of the Head".... I am returning Thursday...with some ideas for a new video...

KEEP ON TRUCKIN.... John Watt (Video Artist)

Lisa:

I can't even begin to explain how sad I was when I heard your story. I am so sorry you went through this. We worked together briefly years ago. You might remember me? I remember you had a new baby that you were so proud of, I remember seeing her pictures, she was adorable.

I always wondered what happened when you had to leave? To me you were a sweetheart with a lot of potential, and even though we didn't get a chance to really know each other, I am deeply saddened by what you went through after you left work. I was an addict years ago as well. Between 18/20 I was into every drug known. I can relate, in part, to what you've been through. Your story made me cry very hard today. I'm sure you're receiving lots of emails so I will keep this short.

All in all, I am so happy and proud of you. I haven't seen the movie yet but I am going to buy it. What you've been through is very sad, and I am so happy that you are on the path to recovery.

If I saw you right now I would give you a big hug. Congratulations! I wish you luck in your future endeavors. You seem like a very bright woman with a great future ahead of you.

A P

Paul :

Watched it ... Unbelievable!!! There you are on freakin Oprah!!! Great segment... But what's with Oprahs "Foot Fetish " anyway ?

Does Steadman know???

CV

Lisa:

Thank you for sharing your story, it is making a change in my life. I have yet to see the whole documentary, I watched Oprah and saw your story, then went on-line to search crackednotbroken.com... I am ordering it to show my family, sad to say but we (my family) are our worst enemy. But your light just shined, so brightly...even in your darkest hour. I think we are all wanting to fill the void, to be clean, not to hurt, and your story showed me that we have to hurt to become healed. I have only been sober for a day… but I am fighting to become ME again, and your story is what stopped me in my tracks, so to speak. I am shocked by how synchronicity works, that I even watched Oprah to see you… Life can be more than we expect if we let ourselves see the light. Your light is what shined to me, not anyone telling me to be clean, or to look at what I am doing to myself, my son, or anything...But your light. Just know that your story does matter, it mattered to me! I think you are just human trying to be honest. Which matters more than sugar coating the truth of how it is being addicted. Again, Thank you.

T.

Lisa's Response:

Dear T:

Where did you see the documentary? I am glad to get your e-mail.

Thank-you so much.

Lisa.

Lisa:

You know me, the same as I know you. Your story...could easily be mine. Even though I have never met you in person, your story grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I too have addictions… your story is helping me become free. I can never thank you enough for showing your emotions so freely. By doing that documentary you show others like me the light, that sets us free. Free to be clean, free to feel, free to be simply me...

Thank you again. T.

Lisa,

I happened to catch the Oprah show today; I am not typically someone who watches her show, and I saw your beautiful face and heard your story. It was very moving, and affected me throughout the day, thinking of you and what you must have gone through. Please know that there are people like me in the world who hurt along with you and want you to be whole again. We may not be addicts ourselves, but we have struggled with other issues and come out on top. It is not easy, but please know I will be praying for you daily. Sincerely, J.

Good luck staying sober this time. It sounds like you really want it this time . Only you can decide not to use (been sober 6 months) it gets easier every day .

PS- I thought you were very cute on Oprah today.

Hi Lisa

KUDOS to you!!! First for being so brave as to allow your friend to produce a film documenting your life in active addiction, and then for appearing on Oprah. After watching the show I immediately searched the web to find out how to obtain the DVD, while on the website I viewed your blog entries, (another act of bravery!) I applaud you for doing what you are doing,and I will keep you in my prayers.

I am sure on this road of recovery there are some moments that are harder then others, but what a wonderful opportunity you have for treatment. It seems as though you have a great gift that God has given you, and that is to tell your story in an effort to help others.

You are a beautiful, intelligent woman who is in a great position to make a difference in other peoples lives!! Keep the faith! I wish you the best; you deserve great things because you are a child of God.

Peace & Blessings to you always!!

B.

Hi Lisa,

I just watched your show on Oprah… what a show! You have amazing courage and strength and I think that is wonderful. I can’t say I know what u r going through but it is amazing how well you are doing. God is watching over you and helping you through this. I am also from Canada and I have seen that lifestyle take over a friend of mine but I have lost contact with her. My boyfriend of 2 years had the same drug problem also. I am going to show him this website to show how well you are doing and maybe he can do the same. Hopefully it will help somewhat, he has done very good so far but I am not always around. I hope this finds you well and please take care. I really didn’t know what to write so sorry if I am just babbling. I just wanted you to know that you are an amazing woman. Take care. God Bless. Hope To Hear Form U.

Me

May God bless you and continue to give you a willingness to surrender your life to him each day. I got clean at 32yrs old. It took me 7 rehabs and a lot of pain to get this thing. But God is faithful and continued to have mercy on me. I don't know your whole story and cannot wait to see the film, but based on what I've heard thus far and what you talked about on Oprah I am sure our lives are not to far apart. God Bless & One day at a time!! Your sister in recovery,

L G.

THIS FILM SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO...BEEN ADDICTED TO CRACK FOR 10 YEARS, ON THE STREET FOR 4 YEARS AND NOW CLEAN FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. NOT AN EASY THING TO DO.

T.

Paul:

Saw the show. Too bad Oprah didn't get the whole story? It would have been groundbreaking television for sure! As you know, I have attended several of the screenings of your masterpiece "Cracked Not Broken" and if Oprah had seen the film, the interaction between the two would have been drastically different. Maybe next time...

Keep spreading the word.

P.