I Got Bridged

“I got bridged in more ways than one! For all of us, life has its ups and downs. Walking several miles a day around Portsmouth, New Hampshire always brings new perspectives. I walk across the Memorial Bridge daily and often ‘I get bridged’ and have to wait for the bridge as it goes up for passing boats.  ‘Getting bridged’ is not only a physical barrier to getting to the other side, it is a metaphor for how we deal with life's obstacles.  In 2018, at age 45, I went blind.”   - Freddy Petrone, founder of I Got Bridged

 "My long daily walks have helped me cope by clearing my mind and restoring some sense of freedom. Often, though, I'm stopped in my tracks before crossing Portsmouth's Memorial Bridge when it lifts for passing boats. I've dubbed this experience "getting bridged," which has become a metaphor for the unexpected obstacles life throws at us. But the metaphor doesn't end there. You see, when you get bridged, whether you're in your car or on foot, there isn't a whole lot you can do in this situation. Are you stuck? Maybe... but I would argue you're not if you've accepted the experience, and certainly not if you've gotten to the point that you can welcome it. Regardless, “getting bridged” is an opportunity to pause.   My forced pause came at age 45 with my diagnosis of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare genetic disorder. This devastating blow was exacerbated by my long-standing drug and alcohol addiction. The loss of my vision quite literally made me walk by faith and not by sight, and forced me to reevaluate my life.
 
In 2019, at the age of 45, after several years of half-hearted attempts at recovery, God did for me what I could not do for myself. I FINALLY walked away from a lifetime of addiction to drugs & alcohol One Day at A Time. My blindness forced me to deeper levels of my existence and purpose. Praise be to God. 
 
Through my seeds of faith planted at a young age, I was able to draw from a Higher Power, which for me, is God. I am still here today - thanks be to God.  My purpose in life was revealed to me during my walk across the bridge.  God gave me the vision to start helping other people, to take mind off myself.  I started going door to door to shovel for the elderly and those in need.  Facing food insecurity, and having to rely on others for my own transportation to the local food pantry, the ide of a acquiring  a 15-passenger van was born.  With volunteer drivers, to assist those in need of food.  From there, the charity, "I Got Bridged" was officially formed.  We now have 2 15-passenger vans and 1 pick-up truck, and many volunteers!

• Our services include:
  
  
  
  • Free transportation to and from Gather Food Pantry, Walmart, Church Services, Recovery Meetings, Medical Appointments, Community Meals, Community Events and more.
  
  
  • Help for the elderly and those in need with snow removal and lawn cleanup.
  
  
  • Moving services for those transitioning from homelessness to residential living and various services where and when needed.
  
  
  • We provide bags of essentials to those experiencing homelessness, and care packages for those who need a little kindness
  
  
  • We host annual coat and warm clothing drives in the winter.
  
  
  • We partner with Cross Roads House, Portsmouth Public Housing, New Generation, recovery centers and shelters to provide residents the opportunity to participate in events local services and we help where and when needed.