Meet Your Neighbor: Chance Gardner
The Lives and Journeys Among Us
“Meet Your Neighbor” is a column I am developing in collaboration with Fountain House and City Voices to celebrate the joy of meeting new people, listening to their stories, and sharing them with others. The goal is to inspire you to connect with the incredible individuals around you, to hear their experiences, and to share your own. Everyone carries a unique story, and there is magic in each person. Instead of judging a book by its cover, open it with curiosity and kindness, and discover the richness within.
When Chance Gardner moved to Mississippi in June 2018, his life was in turmoil. “I was mostly miserable and dysfunctional before I arrived here,” he recalls. The change of scenery was a shock, but it turned out to be exactly what he needed. The warmth of Southern hospitality made him feel welcome, giving him the opportunity to form new relationships and begin his recovery journey.
At first, meeting people was difficult, and the loneliness weighed on him. But he learned that asking questions and reaching out made a difference. “As long as you just ask the question, it gradually becomes possible,” he discovered. Many of his friendships started in simple, unexpected ways, proving that connection often arises naturally when you stay open to it.
For years, Gardner had struggled with mental illness, caught in a cycle of instability and alienation. “I was living between mania and depression,” he admits. Those highs and lows defined his past, but as he settled into his new community, he began to see a different path forward. With support, he started to understand himself in a new way, shifting from negative self-perceptions to embracing how others saw him. “I could identify in the way that these people saw me, instead of dwelling on how I viewed myself.”
Navigating social interactions required patience and awareness. “It can kind of feel like I’m embarking on some kind of scientific experiment,” he says, referring to his efforts to understand social cues and develop meaningful connections. The process of learning and adapting became an essential part of his growth, proving that recovery isn’t just about overcoming internal struggles, but also about forging strong, supportive relationships.
As time passed, Gardner felt himself integrating more seamlessly into society. “I can sometimes pass completely under the radar in ways that were impossible before,” he reflects. It was a personal victory—one that signified not just progress, but also a shift in how the world perceived him.
His story is a testament to the power of community, self-reflection, and redemption. With each step forward, he proved that change is possible, that support and connection make a difference, and that embracing one’s journey, however difficult, leads to growth. Recovery isn’t a straight line, but Gardner’s journey stands as a reminder that every effort counts, and no one has to walk the path alone.
