I was hooked on drugs and gambling, with so much pain I couldn’t take it any more, says Peter Gladwin,,,
BY the age of 30, burns victim Peter Gladwin was ready to end his life.
Defeated by the tragedies, setbacks and addictions he’d endured since childhood, he climbed onto the parapet of a bridge and prepared to jump.
Little could he imagine that he was just moments away from an amazing transformation — and that he would one day tell his dramatic story to bring hope to others around the world.
Peter’s trials started early. He was just one when a fire ripped through his home on a rough estate in Halifax, leaving him with 70 per cent burns and amputated fingers and toes.
He struggled to survive as a disabled kid in a home fractured by the accident. His parents’ subsequent split, his dad’s alcohol and gambling addictions and his mother’s temper piled the pressure on.
Peter said: “I went off the rails, big time. I started hanging around in gangs, got in trouble with the police and was in youth custody by 13.”
The setbacks kept coming. A stabbing on a bus left him unable to use his arm, a collision with a car left him with further serious injuries.
Then his father committed suicide. For years, Peter sought refuge in drink, drugs and gambling.
“By 30, I was a total wreck mentally, physically and psychologically. I couldn’t get away from this constant bar-rage of adversity. Where did that lead me? To a bridge.”
HOOKED ON DRUGS
Contemplating jumping, Peter noticed his mum’s block of flats nearby. He fled there and poured his heart out.
He explained: “I told her, ‘I’m a total wreck. I’m hooked on drugs, gambling, I’ve got so much pain I can’t take it any more.’”
His mum rang his sister, Annette … a phone call that changed his life. Annette shared her new Christian faith with him.
“She said, ‘Peter, God wants to give you a new life.’ I said, ‘How? I’m totally lost.’ She said, ‘Jesus came for the lost.’” Over the phone, Annette prayed with him and he became a Christian. And God did indeed lead him into a new life.
First, he called him to Bible school. Then, after two years working in a drug rehabilitation centre, the Lord called him into the probation service, despite his having 111 previous convictions.
“I was on probation at 14. Now I was mixing with judges and barristers and discussing sentencing policy,” said Peter. “This is what God can do.”
Finally, God called him to set up the charity he is CEO of today.
‘Out of Ashes’ works with churches, schools, prisons, orphanages and rehab centres to offer hope and restoration around the world.
Peter added: “Before, my life was made up of tragedies, drugs, and alcoholism. Now, I’ve got a life that’s incredible. I’ve published two books, I’ve been to Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Cambodia and seen God moving.
“I’ve got joy and peace, and I’m excited about life and serving God. That would have been impossible for me to achieve, but nothing’s impossible for God.”
