Our Story
About Us
The Wells Recovery Foundation was born from both heartbreak and hope. It honors the life of Wells Marion Johnson—a son, a brother, and a friend whose adventurous spirit, infectious laugh, and fearless love for life touched everyone he met. Wells was a man of contrast: a fierce competitor with a gentle soul, a deep thinker who was wonderfully witty, and a loyal protector of his younger brothers, parents, and friends.
Our Experience
Our family was fortunate to have access to incredible clinicians, treatment, and resources, as well as the opportunity to participate in family weekends with compassionate support. We were also lucky to create what I call "magic in the middle"—those pockets of family time when we could escape the chaos of addiction and simply be together. Many of our most meaningful moments happened during trips and long weekends.
At the time, we knew every good moment was a gift, but we had no idea how much healing these memories would eventually offer. The true value was in the laughter and quiet moments, the chance to see each other clearly again, and the opportunity to reset our hearts and minds. Those times allowed us, even briefly, to step out of the past and future and just be with each other. Today, the memories our family made fill our hearts with comfort. They are the antidote to our grief and a reminder of the love we shared and what truly matters.
Of course, those moments were harder when we were in crisis or navigating the fragile phases of treatment. During those difficult times, we often lost our ability to communicate and connect in our old, familiar, fun-loving way. None of us wanted to say or do the wrong thing. We tried to trust the process, but it often left us feeling isolated and unsure.
What we needed was mid- and post-treatment support designed specifically for family reconnection. We needed something positive and tailored to our family style. We needed therapeutic, assisted family time where every person could breathe, be themselves, and learn to express their feelings in a way that felt authentic to our dynamic.
Moving Forward
We deeply believe that positive connections have an essential place in the recovery process. Our family’s story sheds light on a critical element that is missing from current systems. Families can move through treatment after treatment and still feel lost, not knowing how to reconnect, how to heal, or create new memories precisely when they need connection most. It is when families feel the most fragmented that they need a pathway back to one another the most.
Too often, families are left to fend for themselves when it comes to creating moments of hope, joy, and connection. We cannot control life‘s journey or its length, but we can shape how we prioritize connection, how we show up, and how we create time together.