Life of drugs, prison, guns and crime flipped on its head by daughter

ORLANDO Salinas knows the devastation of drugs. He was in prison by 17, addicted to drugs for a decade, shot at nine times. He changed when he heard one little voice — his four-year-old daughter.

Orlando Salinas will be in Australia this month to talk about his life.

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ORLANDO Salinas knows first hand the devastation of drugs and alcohol.

He was sent to prison at the age of 17, was a drug addict for 10 years and was shot at nine times at the age of 28.

By the time he was 33, he found himself totally hopeless, wanting to kill himself, so he robbed a store for one more hit of cocaine on his daughter’s fourth birthday.

Against all odds, Orlando chose to believe in the impossible.

He walked out of prison at the age of 40 with a dream.

Today he travels the world telling his story of hope and inspiration in schools, prisons, rehab centres, churches and business organisations.

Orlando is a preacher, teacher and motivational speaker.

Orlando’s family welcome him home.

“I grew up a regular kid. I started stealing ciggies from my dad as a teen then got my first charge at 15,” he said.

“Then I got done for burglary at 16 and another charge at 17. That same year there was a murder case.

“I got in a fight, stabbed a man and he died.”

After being convicted with murder, he became a bitter young man.

With a string of charges by the time he was facing court for the murder charge he decided he wanted to escape.

He used a meeting with his family in the courthouse to escape. He was captured shortly after.

After his first stint in jail — which was about five years — cocaine became his drug of choice.

“I lied, stole and cheated. I did what I had to do for one more hit,” he said.

“We call it ‘dead man walking’ because the drug literally kills the soul of the man.”

At least five of the men in this photo with Orlando have been in prison and have turned their life around after hearing his story.

Mr Salinas got married at 26. He said she had no idea about his drug dependency.

“I was a functioning drug addict,” he said.

But on his daughter’s fourth birthday he robbed a store for one more hit.

“I remember when I got locked up. I had to call my wife. I had to tell my whole world I wasn’t coming home,” he said.

“Then there was a little voice saying, ‘Daddy, today was my birthday and you weren’t here, are you coming now’. That day, I really wanted to die.”

It was at this point he had to make a choice. He said he needed a miracle.

Orlando Salinas travels the world sharing his story.

He said it happened while he was in jail. At the age of 40, when he walked out to his welcoming family, he said it was his second chance.

“I had a dream that I could do more. Help more and become more,” he said.

“When I speak in schools or organisations I share the power of choice — we all have it.”

Mr Salinas now has Choose to Change Foundation.

He visits prisons, organisations, rehabs and parole centres to share his story and work with men.

“The biggest challenge is the commitment to keep growing and learning,” he said.

“It’s your daily choice to win or lose, do what’s right or wrong. My biggest challenge is me.”

Mr Salinas said there was no real tipping point that pushed him down the path of drug use and making bad choices. He said it was gradual.

“It was just one cigarette. Just one joint. Until it becomes normal,” he said.

GUEST SPEAKER

THE Potter’s House is opening a new site in Whyalla Place, Prestons, in Sydney’s southwest, on Saturday, October 29 at 6pm.

Mr Salinas is flying to Australia to be part of the celebration.

He will also be speaking on Sunday, October 30 at 10.30am and 6pm and again on Monday October 31, and Tuesday, November 1, at 7.30pm.

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