Have you heard the saying “Old habits die hard”? We all probably have a habit or two that we just can’t seem to shake, no matter how hard we try! That was also the case for Diane, a member of our MVA family, and a long-time smoker. Here is Diane’s story, of how she faced the challenge to quit smoking, and how it has affected her life for the better.

Like many with the habit of smoking, Diane was first introduced to cigarettes at the young age of 15. Smoking was very common in society at that time, and it was an easy habit to acquire. She would take routine trips to 7/11 to pick up a pack of cigarettes and would smoke roughly six a day, three in the morning and three at night. From her teenage years on, cigarettes were a part of Diane’s daily life for almost 48 years.

Like all bad habits, however, there will eventually be physical side effects, such as serious respiratory problems. This was an eye-opener for Diane and was one of the main reasons that she took on the brave challenge to stop smoking. However, Diane did not face this challenge alone.

Something you need to know about Diane is that, in addition to having an infectious and loving personality, she is especially strong-willed. A staff member at her MVA group home shared, “When Diane puts her mind to doing something, there is no stopping her.” Knowing this, one of her staff decided to ask Diane if she would be up to the challenge of giving up smoking, offering a Beach Day as an incentive. Being the strong-willed person she is, Diane tossed her cigarettes on the table and said, “Get those things away from me, they are bad for me!” She decided to tell her friends, family, and staff about her decision, and they all were very proud of her, offering whatever support she needed throughout her journey. After 48 years of smoking being a regular part of her life, on April 20 th of 2022, Diane decided to take the challenge of giving up smoking, cold turkey, head-on, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Diane earned her day at the beach and she had a blast! She has now gone almost four months without having a cigarette! By quitting smoking, Diane has also had the opportunity to save money for hobbies and activities she has always enjoyed, such as word search puzzles. She is also saving for a very big goal: a trip to Disneyland.

Breaking habits can be tough, but Diane has shown us that with self-determination and a healthy support system, you can overcome any challenge.

We are so proud of Diane, and we look forward to seeing her continue this journey while providing any support she needs to fight the challenge!