WATCH: Trevor beats alcoholism and is rewarded with success

TREVOR Sturgess, a resident of Kibler Park, has a colourful past and has lived through some very dark years. Freeing himself from the bonds of alcoholism, where he lost almost everything, he shares his story of hope.

This strong-willed man built himself back up again and today he is a successful businessman. He is happily married to Ruth, the woman who stood by his side through it all, and a proud father of three children.

Trevor grew up in Brackenhurst in a normal middle- to upper-class family. He became rebellious at Bracken High and was asked to leave, after which he finished high school at General Smuts in Vereeniging. From there he went to the army.

While Trevor experimented with drugs and alcohol at school, he never drank during his time in the army. Upon leaving the army, he briefly studied theology, but never followed through.

He then found his way into the music industry as a guitarist and singer for a band called African Gunns (the name was derived from their Scottish heritage, the Gunn Clan). As he got deeper into the world of music, his drinking habits took a turn for the worse.

From comedy to misery

Around 1998, Trevor became involved in stand-up comedy with Joe Parker. His photograph is still up on the wall at Parker’s comedy club at Montecasino.

He did well in comedy, touring the country, but ultimately his abuse of alcohol would bring him to his knees.

“Eventually it all got to me and I had to make a decision: either choose life and live and have a family or go the other way and die.”

At this point, Trevor’s health was suffering greatly, a direct consequence of alcohol abuse. He had two young children and a wife, and the alcohol had made him an absent father and husband.

His career as a comedian also suffered. The comedy clubs would book Trevor less and less. Sometimes he would be too drunk to perform, and when he did perform under the influence of alcohol, the show would be a disaster.

As money became scarce, Trevor sold their property and battled to scrape together enough money for rent, often falling behind. Trevor was headed for rock bottom. He would have moments of clarity, but experienced frequent blackouts.

“One day my children told me they were walking to school with holes in their shoes. I knew something had to change, but to stop drinking seemed impossible.”

A short while after starting a new job, he crashed a company car during a blackout and was fired.

“That was the end. A little old lady where we stayed came and put her bony little finger in my face and told me I needed to get into a 12-step programme. She put a phone number in my pocket and so I finally reached out for help. I became sober.”

The miracle of recovery

Today Trevor is a recovered alcoholic. He joined a 12-step programme in 2006 and has been sober ever since.

“For us, our sobriety date is the most important thing. With sobriety we have everything and without it we have nothing. Alcoholism is a disease; people who are prone to addiction and alcoholism have to abstain from all drugs and alcohol. We have to live vigilant lives in order to preserve our recovery. My advice to anyone who is stuck in addiction and alcoholism is to get the right help. Find a support group for the problem. You are not alone. There are other people going through exactly what you’re going through.”

It was a difficult new journey to start. The Sturgess family were struggling financially. Although Trevor returned to the company he had been fired from – after paying for the vehicle damage – he soon fell very ill. He spent four months in Baragwanath Hospital. At this point, they had already moved to Kibler Park where they were renting a house, but Trevor’s illness cost them everything.

A second miracle

In 2009, the Sturgess family was nominated for the 947 Christmas Wish List by Reverend Nick Prinsloo from the Robertsham Methodist Church. Trevor was very sick and Ruth did her best to provide for their two children. They often had to swallow their pride and ask for food. Ruth took whatever measures she could, even selling her clothes.

The 947 Christmas Wish List, with help from Tracy du Randt from Trajekt Human Capital Consulting, put together a four-step game plan. They sponsored the Sturgesses’ groceries for 12 months and organised clothes vouchers. They put funds aside for Christmas presents so the family could enjoy a wonderful Christmas together. Lastly, they sponsored their two children’s school fees for a year.

As Trevor shared this episode on YouTube during the interview, you can see the same emotion in his eyes as he had on the day he heard this wonderful news.

“No matter what you are going through right now, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Their daughter, Robyn, is a third year student at Monash University, studying a double major in child and youth care development and psychology. Their son, Taylor, studied real estate and music production. Lebo Modise, their adoptive son who the family adopted in 2010 when Lebo was 14 years old, works on filmsets and is a self-taught photographer.

Moving forward

In 2010, Trevor and his wife began taking their studies seriously. They both finished their NQF4 Real Estate. After that Trevor did a course through Unisa in local government and provincial law.

“Short courses at universities like UCT and Unisa held huge benefits for me.”

Trevor studied commercial property through UCT and then completed his NQF5 Real Estate in 2016. Lastly, he completed his studies in sectional titles this April.

“I encourage people to study. By studying you are empowering yourself.”

Trevor and Ruth’s business, Seeff Kibler Park, has flourished and they have been able to buy the property that they were renting.

“It’s been a great journey, wonderful. From having the support of Ruth and the 12-step programme, the growth has been incredible.”

Trevor is a changed man and puts his recovery above all else. Without it he will lose it all.

“It is very special for me to make up for lost time. We are able to be a family. When I got sober, Taylor was nine and Robyn was 11.

“I was an absent father. Today I can be there for all of them and we are a family again.”

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