TRUDGE THE ROAD OF
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DESTINY
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1934 Bill W. checked into Towne’s Hospital in New York City and was separated from alcohol and he remained that way until his death in 1971.
A LITTLE HISTORY In the late fall of 1934, a broken down stock speculator by the name of William “Bill W.” Wilson was paid a visit by an old childhood friend named Edwin “Ebby’’ Thacher. Ebby’s history with Bill was much storied as he and Bill adventured through life as consummate drinking partners. Bill, who at the time of Ebby’s visit, was in the grips of alcoholism, was in poor health and unemployable. Ebby wanted to visit Bill because he had some exciting news that he wanted to share with him. The news that Ebby brought to Bill was that he had, by applying a few simple spiritual principles, found a way to stay sober and live a useful productive life. This news was to change Bill’s life forever. In December of
In the Spring of 1935, Bill was on an important business trip to Akron, Ohio. Had the trip been successful Bill would have been in a position to make quite a sum of money and to procure himself a top executive position. The business trip was a failure and Bill was dejected. Bill knew he needed another alcoholic to talk to. After a series of phone calls Bill was put in contact with an Akron, Ohio surgeon and physician who too suffered from the illness of alcoholism. Not too certain that he wanted to talk, he grudgingly
lcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. (Copyright © The AA Grapevine, Inc.)
Bill learned from Ebby that in order to stay sober he would have to carry this message to others. He immediately commenced to do this to no avail. After five months of attempting to sober up others he had no success. Discouraged by his lack of success it was Bill’s wife Lois that pointed out to Bill that although no one else got sober Bill still was. This experience allowed Bill to discover one of the primary building blocks of sobriety: the principle of “carrying the message to the still sick and suffering alcoholic.” This action helped keep Bill sober.
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