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When I reach out to people to interview for this column, usually the first thing I hear is, \u201cI\u2019m not interesting, what would people want to know about me?\u201d Then they go on to tell one of the most amazing, heart wrenching, humorous, endearing or just flat-out awesome stories I have yet to hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vanessa Berge is one of those people. It\u2019s interviews with people like Vanessa that make writing this column such a privilege. And though she isn\u2019t originally from Portland, having been raised in Reno, Nevada, she is as part of the City if Roses as any native, as you\u2019ll come to see. <\/span><\/p>\n

When you meet Vanessa, the first thing you notice \u2013 at least, that I noticed \u2013 is the look in her eyes. Her glance is soft, yet something hard lies beneath. She\u2019s been through a lot, yet she finds so much to be thankful for. Her laugh is as infectious as her story is sad, touching and inspirational.<\/span><\/p>\n

You see, like so many others that have graced this page, Vanessa has been through hell and back. Though she has not struggled with it herself, she has stood by the side of men in her life who have held epic battles with alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

When her ex-boyfriend, and her son\u2019s father, decided to quit alcohol cold turkey, the results were nothing short of catastrophic. One week in the ICU incubated on life support in an induced coma fighting withdrawals. And yet there, by his side, the whole time, Vanessa exhibited a strength others would be envious of. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had to keep this all from my son,\u201d she explains. \u201cI was the one who had to keep all of the friends and relatives updated, make all major decisions\u2026 make him eat\u2026 calm him when he was convinced the staff were hurting him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The list is long, but she stayed firm. Her ex improved, and though they no longer share the bond of love, now they are great friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is my son\u2019s father, and I sincerely believe he would\u2019ve done that for me,\u201d she replies in answer to those who wonder why she stayed so loyal through it all. <\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, the story doesn\u2019t end there. Vanessa\u2019s current boyfriend also struggled with alcohol. After two-and-a-half years they broke up and he moved away for six months. The fact is, after what she\u2019d already been through, Vanessa was not going to tolerate his alcoholism.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe learned that life without me was horrible,\u201d Vanessa says with a wry smile, \u201cand made the huge decision to quit drinking so that our life together could be what it was always meant to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Through it all, Vanessa has managed to raise a well-rounded son with a bright future, all while pursuing her own goals. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started college for the first time ever at thirty-two years old, and have maintained a 4.0 GPA with everything going on in my life,\u201d she says with well-earned pride. <\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, it\u2019s not just the struggles and successes in her personal life that drive Vanessa. Quite frankly, we could fill another 500 words with more interesting tales from her life. Except there\u2019s just this one thing we would be remiss not to mention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love slugs,\u201d she whimsically says. \u201cIs that weird enough?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In keep it weird Portland, we\u2019ll say so. It\u2019s just one of many aspects of her life that make her right at home among our fair city.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I do have spare time, I love to hang out with my kid and friends, go to concerns\u2026 explore nature, camping, swimming, photography, beach trips, fishing\u2026\u201d as she trails off, it\u2019s apparent she has made her point.<\/span><\/p>\n

She could go on, but it\u2019s okay. Her story fits right in with the Portland tableau \u2013 except for maybe the slug part, which we\u2019ll give her a pass on. From loved ones\u2019 struggles with alcohol to nature hikes and her job at a Portland icon: McMenamin\u2019s, despite her transplant status, she\u2019s a PDX Person through-and-through. <\/span><\/p>\n

Click Here to Read More Articles on – People from Portland<\/a><\/p>\n

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William Bessette<\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow William on: <\/strong> Facebook<\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/strong> LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

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