Overcoming challenges and poor decisions is possible

r By Ryan Andrew Stream

rMy name is Ryan Andrew Stream. I am a 27-year-old husband, father, motivational speaker, musician, soldier and high school football coach and I also work full-time at a plant called Materion.

I do anything and everything I possibly can to make a difference. In our youth, my brothers and I slept some nights in a homeless shelter and stayed in different foster care homes. Our biological parents loved us, but the choices and decisions they made only lead them to addictions, jail and prison. One by one we were separated from one another and we were feeling lost, alone, scared and anything you can possibly feel as kids. Eventually all four of us boys were reunited and adopted by the same Stream family.rAfter years has passed, our biological father was able to get control of his addictions. However, our mother passed away after committing suicide – not because she was weak, but because she did not get the help that she needed.

The Stream family raised us to be righteous warriors and to place God first in all of our doings, but I along with two brothers chose a different path. I went to jail multiple times and was homeless, sleeping in my car because of the bad choices that I had made. I overcame drug addiction problems and changed my life and was able to serve my country in the military, twice serving in Afghanistan. Now I will be the change I want to see in this world.

The most important part of life is family; I feel like I can do anything with them by my side. I will prove to the world that you can change and that you can make a difference. Change your mind and it will change your life. If nothing else changes, change the people you hang out with. The outcome of your life is based off the decisions that you make. We are the authors of our story and only you can write the book of your life.rI am currently traveling around speaking at LDS firesides, school districts, group homes and the state prison and I was able to open up for Alex Boye. I compose my own music and share my story through the lyrics. I just recently finished my second music video and I am currently working on more. Please join me at Ryan Andrew Stream on Facebook or at my website, www.ryanstream.com, and help me make a difference.r