CityView Magazine

44 November 2020 M aybe it's that enduring Irish accent, that self-deprecating sense of humor or a face that just seems to epitomize friendliness. Or some combination of the three. But everyone likes Jimmy Maher. "Ha," he says. "My w ife w i l l tel l you dif ferent." e affable Maher has been a favorite of young soccer players and their families for years. He first came to the United States from Ireland in 1987 as a soccer-playing exchange student at Fayetteville Academy. He and fellow soccer players Paddy Gibney and Justin Carey lived with the late Dr. Bill Jordan, who made sure they all graduated from Methodist University. Maher would go on to become a beloved soccer coach at Fayetteville Academy He was instrumental in developing the soccer program at Jordan Soccer Complex, named in Dr. Jordan's honor, and devotes great chunks of his time helping youngsters improve. For families coping with the anguish of addiction, however, there's something else that's comforting about Jimmy Maher: He's been there. "Addiction snuck up on me," he said. "I lost who I was." He says everyone is different, but fancy rehab facilities didn't work for him. Neither did the sort of short-term programs that oen hold themselves out to be panaceas. "Addiction is a complex problem," he said. "It can't be fixed in 30 days. I tried to fix myself for a long time in my addiction." He finally found the answer that worked for him in a faith-based, no-frills residential program in Florida. Once he was there, something clicked. "Certainly, it was a culture shock," he said. "It was the first time I ever opened a Bible. I had a lightbulb moment. I hadn't realized how lucky I was. When I couldn't love myself, there were people who loved me." T he s e d ay s , M a her hold s t he bu s y p o sit ion of c or p or ate d i re c tor of out re a ch for C ap e Fe a r Va l le y He a lt h Sy s tem . A nd he's b a c k at Faye t te v i l le Ac ademy, t h i s t i me a s a s si s t a nt s o c c er c o a ch . But if you're a parent, and you call him, and he isn't able to answer his phone, he never, ever fails to call you back. He understands, and he's always willing to try his best to help. He has helped many a troubled young person, oen through the program that helped him. One mother remembers watching as the taillights pulled out of her driveway at 5 a.m. as Maher embarked on the 10-hour drive with her son in the passenger seat. It took time, but her son has done well for four years now. "We were at wit's end," she said. "I give God the glory, but Jimmy was the angel who came and rescued us. I don't know another person who devotes as much of their life to other people as Jimmy does. "I can't say enough good things about him," she said. "He's one in a million." Maher asks for nothing in return from anyone. "For selfish reasons, I help people," he said. "Because it helps me." Maher came from a close-knit family, but said he was nevertheless rebellious as a boy. "I was always going to do things my way," he said. His talent and personalit y opened doors fo him, won f riends for him easi ly. But he nearly lost it al l. "You don't have a drug problem," they told him when he finally got help. "You have a character problem." Instead of hiding his experience with addiction, Maher chooses to share his story in hopes of helping others. It's possible, it seems, that more people would get help if those in recovery were willing, like Maher, to share their stories and offer to help. To foster an open forum. "A lot of people want to run from it," he said. "I'm not someone who says I'm glad I went through it, but the fact is, I did go through it. I try to use it for good. "I want people to know there is hope, and that addicts can recover and go on to be great husbands and fathers," he said. "I'm glad to talk to people and try to help. ere are people who helped me." Still, he doesn't take credit for the success stories he's inspired. "If I'm going to take credit for helping, then I've got to accept the burden for the ones who don't make it," he said. "I'm not strong enough for that." JIMMY MAHER - HOPE WITH A HELPING OF GOOD HUMOR

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