A new path to recovery: Local family uses grief to help others

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — If you need to go somewhere, most of us just get into our cars and drive. But for those trying to get their life back on track after struggling with addiction, it’s a bit more complicated. One local family is trying to ease that burden because they know that struggle all too well.

“My brother wasn’t able to have a car, get a car, but he loved his bike,” Victoria Rebolloso said.

Two wheels might not seem like much, but Rebolloso and her family, know it can be the difference between taking one step forward or two back.

“For months and months he got around with that bike,” Rebolloso’s mother Olivia Harrison said. “We knew there was something wrong, and we tried to get through the holidays.”

But before they could get through the holidays, Matthew Dauber passed away.

“My brother passed away on December 1, and the last time we were able to see him was Thanksgiving,” Rebolloso said. “We had a great day. I mean, we were able to hug him, say, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ And yeah that was our last interaction. It was really good, though.”

Rebolloso’s brother had been battling addiction on and off for years. For Harrison, he was her son.

“He moved into the war zone for like a few months, and then I think the fentanyl really got to him. He wasn’t on fentanyl, and then all of a sudden, you know, we started seeing some changes,” Harrison said.

Dauber was just 39 years old when he died.

“Matt was just a very gentle soul. I think that like addiction, it doesn’t care who you are. It gets anybody, even if you come from a good family, it’ll get you,” Rebolloso said.

As we come up on one year of his passing and the holidays, Rebolloso said her family was dreading it, but then they thought about who Dauber was.

“We’ve actually wanted to run away from Albuquerque, but instead, we started Matt’s Bikes,” Rebolloso said.

Using their own money and donations, they bought nine brand new bikes that they plan to give to people like Matt who just need a chance so they can stay on the path to sobriety.

“My brother was very giving. He also loved bikes, and so I think the best way to like remember him is just do exactly what he would want us to do, and I know he’s smiling down right now,” Rebolloso said.

They want to get the word out and have the bikes go to those who need them the most. They’re accepting applications through November 12 on their Instagram or via email: [email protected].

“We’re so excited to help someone that just needs to get to a meeting for AA or NA…anything that’ll help them stay sober and prevent a family going through this tragedy,” Rebolloso said. “We can’t prevent someone from relapsing. But what we can do is we could give them the best opportunity.”

And each of those opportunities will remind them of Matt.

“I feel like he will be riding around Albuquerque or wherever in New Mexico that they take these bikes, and it’ll bring something to our heart that it’s just a little bit more hope,” Rebolloso said.

Rebolloso and her family said they are screening applications to make sure they’re going to people who are in early recovery. They will be coordinating virtual interviews.

The City of Albuquerque has a similar program, called “Earn a Bike.” You need to call 505-224-6668 at 10 a.m. to go to a class, then when you finish the class, you get a refurbished bike and new helmet.

The post A new path to recovery: Local family uses grief to help others appeared first on KOB 4.