Damion Tall stands on the porch of his home. Once renovations are complete, he will move in. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TUSTY

Damion Tall was born into a close-knit family in Toledo in 1974, but tragedy tore them apart and left scars that stayed with him into adulthood. When Tall was about five years old, his sister, less than a year older than him, drowned. He watched her lifeless body being pulled from the water, and then watched his family fall apart.

“You could see the changes in my family. They were very close before,” Tall said. “I saw how drinking became a coping mechanism for them.”

At around age 14, Tall started drinking and eventually taking drugs, and as he got older his addiction got worse. He started selling drugs and ended up in prison for the first time in the 1990s.

“When you are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, your mind becomes clouded,” he said.

When he was convicted for a third time of drug trafficking, he faced Ottawa District Court Judge Bruce Winters, who saw potential in Tall that he himself did not. Tall faced ten years in prison, but Winters decided to send him to a treatment center instead. He was ordered to move to Light House Sober Living in Port Clinton when he left inpatient rehab.

“Judge Winters decided to give me a chance, and I’ve been sober ever since,” Tall said.

Ottawa County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Winters (left) changed Damion Tall’s life when he ordered him to rehab instead of jail. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Tall has turned his life around, has had a successful career for years, regularly volunteers in the community and supports others on their road to recovery. This year he fulfilled a long-held dream by buying his own home.

“I can’t take credit for all this. God has done things I can’t do,” he said.

Tall deliberately chose a home near the men’s shelter Light House Sober Living.

“That’s where my foundation started,” he said. “I want to be close so I can help them. If anyone needs help, I’m right down the street.”

Tall was a keynote speaker at Overdose Awareness Day 2022 in Port Clinton. The event provides encouragement and resources to people in recovery. The event, like Tall’s life, shows that recovery is possible.

“The people and programs that supported me taught me how to be a better version of myself,” Tall said.

This year’s Ottawa County Overdose Awareness Day will be held on Saturday, August 31st from 4-6 p.m. at The District in downtown Port Clinton. The event will feature local resident Alex Fletcher as the keynote speaker and will also feature a free community meal from Bone Boy’s BBQ, butterfly release and many community resources.

Damion Tall bought a home near Light House Sober Living so he can be close by to help the men just starting rehab. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The free community meal was donated by Croghan Colonial Bank, CrossFit of Port Clinton, Bone Boy’s BBQ and HIP Detail. The event is hosted by the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition and the Ottawa County Health Department, with lots of support from the local recovery community.

“People in recovery have made this event their own,” said Michelle Veliz, coordinator of the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition. “These are people who are experiencing it. It’s as real as it gets.”

Veliz said Fletcher was chosen as keynote speaker because of his transparency and commitment to the recovery community.

“I was impressed by Alex’s honesty and direct approach,” Veliz said. “I was impressed by his humility and honesty.”

The entire community is invited to participate in Overdose Awareness Day to honor those who have lost their lives to overdose this year and to support local people on their road to recovery. Those struggling with their recovery can find hope and connection at the event.

“If someone is having problems and feels like they have failed, that is one more reason to come,” Veliz said.

Editor’s Note: This story about Damion Tall is the second in a series of stories leading up to Overdose Awareness Day, which will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 31 at The District in downtown Port Clinton.