Published: May 12, 2008 01:41 pm         

Actor Steven Ford has message about sobriety

Steven Ford may be a Hollywood actor and the son of former president Gerald Ford, but that doesn’t mean his life has been easy.

For several years, Ford battled alcoholism — the same battle that his mother, Betty Ford, was eventually able to overcome.

Ford shared his story Friday night at Oaklawn’s ninth annual “Spring Spectacular” held at The Matterhorn in Elkhart.

Sober for the past 14 years, Ford said he kept his drinking a secret from his family and friends. In fact, his own mother didn’t believe him when he told her he was an alcoholic.

“They didn’t see that secret life,” he said.

Ford said he had to make the choice to get sober, and that it was the grace of God that helped him overcome his addiction.

Since becoming sober, Ford has spoken to numerous middle school, high school and college students about his experiences. He also spoke in a Texas prison to 200 men who were working to get sober.

During his presentation, Ford also told several humorous stories about his family.

He recalled the night his father got a call at home from then-president Richard Nixon, who asked his father to be vice president. He said his father asked the president if he could call back on the other line so that Betty could join in the phone call.

Ford showed photographs of his family in the White House and at various events. One photo showed him and his 10 Secret Service agents — all wearing cowboy getup — on a cattle ranch out West. The 10 agents moved west with him when he decided to follow his dream of being a cowboy.

Ford said he is often asked whether he is ever going to go into politics.

“My answer is that I am just an actor. What kind of politician would an actor be anyway?” he said, as a photograph of former president and actor Ronald Reagan appeared on the screen.

Ford said that when his father passed away a year and a half go, it wasn’t his dad’s many accomplishments and his career that he thought about at the funeral.

“Most important was how he led our family and how he showed us how to be a great father and husband,” Ford said.

The annual “Spring Spectacular” fund-raising event helps Oaklawn fund programs and mental health services that aid children, adolescents, adults and seniors. Approximately 30 percent of Oaklawn’s annual budget is used to provide charity care and other patient financial assistance.