[BamaSurvivor]

I feel unworthy of this honor that's been given to me because I've only been clean for 9 months, but I'm so excited! I still go to my IOP group for aftercare, plus attend several NA meetings. One of the administrators of IOP has asked me to research Jimmy K and write down everything I learn and present it to the group (about 20-22 people) this Thursday (8/25/05)... I'm very excited, as I've already researched and prepared my assignment. I even found several pictures of Jimmy K in his later years before he died.

Although I am excited about presenting this to the group, I'm also very nervous. I have high anxiety and when I was in junior high and we'd have to present something, I'd studder and mess everything up. So please keep me in your thoughts and/or prayers as I give this presentation Thursday. I've spoken at a church for the youth since I've gotten clean and showed them pictures of drug addicts later in their addiction and gave my life story. I did alright with that, studdered a few times but nothing too bad, so this is my second time speaking before a whole group.

Why I posted this is because I was wondering who else has information on Jimmy K, or even if you don't have information, how grateful are you to him for starting Narcotics Anonymous? What has Narcotics Anonymous or even Alcoholics Anonymous done for you? Dr. Bob and Bill W. did a great thing when they created Alcoholics Anonymous. Who knew two addicts could come up with something that helps keep millions of people clean each day? Fantastic!

Narcotics Anonymous has been God Sent for me. The simple 12 Steps have carried me through so many trials and problems. Now that I've gotten into 12 Steps and the program of NA, I can't imagine my life without it.

[Kismet]

Bama,
You will do fine! Enjoy!

[BamaSurvivor]

(((((Kismet)))))

Thank you!

Woo-hoo!

You go lil' sis!

You'll be wonderful!

I wish I could be there with you!

{{{{{ proud hugs }}}}}

Petunia

[shadowalker164]

I learn something every day.

I don’t think I ever heard of Jimmy K. before.
I do AA, not NA, but I am a big fan of history,.
Bama, if you want to, post some of your research here so the great unwashed like myself may edify themselves on NA’s history.

I’m so proud of you,
Richard

p.s.
A trick I use when speaking to audiences is to picture them all naked. The whole thing is less intimidating that way. Although, it is hard to keep a straight face sometimes.

[BamaSurvivor]

Thanks Petunia! ((((big hug)))))

Here's some of what I found on Jimmy K:

Jimmy K's real name was James P. Kinnon. He went by Jimmy K due to the anonymity of NA. Jimmy never referred to himself as the founder of Narcotics Anonymous even though records clearly show he was the founder.

Jimmy K was born on April 5, 1911 in Paisley, Scotland. On August 8, 1923, he and his family moved to Ellis Island, New York. He worked as a roofer and was struggling with his own drug addiction. He achieved complete sobriety from all drugs through the help of Alcoholics Anonymous on February 2, 1950.

Jimmy K and fellow drug addicts from Alcoholics Anonymous started holding a series of independant meetings for drug addicts on August 17, 1953.The first recovery meeting of NA was held on October 5, 1953 in Southern California. Today, members of Narcotics Anonymous hold more than 30,000 weekly meetings in over 100 countries worldwide.

Jimmy K wrote several portions of the, "Little White Booklet", which formed the basis of NA's basic text. It was published in 1983 under the title, "Narcotics Anonymous". The book also has his anonymous biography titled, "We Do Recover". Jimmy also designed the NA logo and served as the volunteer office manager of NA's World Service Office from the time it began in 1983.

Jimmy K died on July 9, 1985. He spent the last 35 years of his life as a clean and recovering member of Narcotics Anonymous. Jimmy K may be dead, but his legacy will forever live on.

There ya go... Some of what I found on Jimmy K.

[misty]

Any founder to me of AA or NA should be given to the power as so recomended that no one dares to say like in step 3 giving our turning our care over to God/not founders.

[BamaSurvivor]

What do you mean? No ones saying we're turning any power over to the founders of NA/AA... I'm simply stating facts of the person who started NA. Has nothing to do with him being God or me praising him as such.

[Raynaadi]

All I can say is, that without Bill and Bob, I wouldn't have a Higher Power, and I wouldn't have 4 months sober today. Maybe men would have done the same without these founders, but we have come to cherish these names with all our hearts because they are the names who started it all. I am not an addict, but now I have a third name to add to that place in my heart, since he gave what I have to my fellows. I thank God for Bill W and Dr Bob and now Jimmy K. =)
~Rayna

[BamaSurvivor]

Amen to that, Rayna! We can be grateful for these people because they've brought us so much from the 12 Steps of NA/AA but that doesn't mean we are praising them as we would our Higher Power. I'm truely thankful for Bill, Bob, and Jimmy K. Without them, as Rayna said, we'd have no NA or AA.

[BamaSurvivor]

Well, I'm back from IOP and my NA meeting... I did my Jimmy K presentation as planned during IOP. It went REALLY well. I didn't studder one time! *jumps for joy* Everyone enjoyed it and all said they learned something new from it. So that's great!

Went to a NA meeting tonight after IOP let out, me and a few friends from IOP went together. Been trying and trying to find the NA book and you'd think I'd find one at NA meeting. Nope, they've been out TWO WEEKS and have yet to get more in. It's been such a hassle trying to find a NA book... I'll get a new one one day! lol

[Raynaadi]

At least we know if all else fails, we can find it ebay hehe. Congrats on the presentation! What an honor to be asked to do that!!