Mark's Story
“My God has shown me forgiveness and strength,
and that’s what I want to portray unto others...
God bless you.”
Mark F. Garwood, 1990-2014
These words were the last text message the Garwood family received from Mark the day before he died on May 24, 2014 at the age of 24 ----a vibrant and energetic life extinguished way too soon.
Mark had an insatiable curiosity, a passion for life, and a loving and generous heart. As a teen, he was diagnosed with type I diabetes, but that condition never slowed him down. He was athletic and excelled in a variety of sports. Mark never met a stranger. He was charming and persuasive, yet genuine and sincere in all his relationships. Mark was constant in his friendships and would go to any length to help his friends regardless of his own circumstances.
In 2009 while attending college in Orlando, Mark was assaulted during a pick-up basketball game. He became addicted to prescription pain medications given to him in the hospital, and his life began to spiral out of control. He dropped out of school, alienated family and friends and had scrapes with the law. Mark understood he was on a destructive path and was determined to get his life back on track. He went through detox, rehab and began to actively participate in NA and AA twelve step programs. He moved into a recovery residence and found strong spiritual and emotional support there among his peers. He secured his dream job and was embarking on a challenging and productive career.
Substance use disorder, however, is a powerful and baffling foe, and after a five year battle Mark died due to complications from his addiction and diabetes. The Mark Garwood Foundation was established in 2014 to build a legacy of service by providing hope, changing lives and building futures to the recovery community.
Mark's favorite superhero was Batman because Batman was the only superhero who doesn't have superpowers. Instead, he uses the tools around him to turn darkness into light. That's the origin of our symbol. It serves as a reminder of Mark's belief that anyone can be successful in their sobriety and their life if they use the tools and opportunities available to them. Be Batman. No superpowers needed.
Mark's Story
“My God has shown me forgiveness and strength, and that’s what I want to portray unto others...God bless you.” Mark F. Garwood, 1990-2014
These words were the last text message the Garwood family received from Mark the day before he died on May 24, 2014 at the age of 24 ----a vibrant and energetic life extinguished way too soon.
Mark had an insatiable curiosity, a passion for life, and a loving and generous heart. As a teen, he was diagnosed with type I diabetes, but that condition never slowed him down. He was athletic and excelled in a variety of sports. Mark never met a stranger. He was charming and persuasive, yet genuine and sincere in all his relationships. Mark was constant in his friendships and would go to any length to help his friends regardless of his own circumstances.
In 2009 while attending college in Orlando, Mark was assaulted during a pick-up basketball game. He became addicted to prescription pain medications given to him in the hospital, and his life began to spiral out of control. He dropped out of school, alienated family and friends and had scrapes with the law. Mark understood he was on a destructive path and was determined to get his life back on track. He went through detox, rehab and began to actively participate in NA and AA twelve step programs. He moved into a recovery residence and found strong spiritual and emotional support there among his peers. He secured his dream job and was embarking on a challenging and productive career.
Substance use disorder, however, is a powerful and baffling foe, and after a five year battle Mark died due to complications from his addiction and diabetes. The Mark Garwood Foundation was established in 2014 to build a legacy of service by providing hope, changing lives and building futures to the recovery community.
Mark's favorite superhero was Batman because Batman was the only superhero who doesn't have superpowers. Instead, he uses the tools around him to turn darkness into light. That's the origin of our symbol. It serves as a reminder of Mark's belief that anyone can be successful in their sobriety and their life if they use the tools and opportunities available to them. Be Batman. No superpowers needed.
