TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – A Texas teacher is biking across the Midwest for opioid awareness.

Jeannette Krupp makes the 450 mile journey from Ohio to her home state of Missouri to educate people about substance abuse and to inspire change.

Krupp lost her brother and cousin to substance abuse, and found cycling as a way to share her story.

“I decided that someone’s got to do something and it might as well be me,” Krupp said.

She starting this ride back in 2018. Her brother, Karl, would be there for her along the rides. However, he tragically died in 2021, making this her first ride without him. She said that it’s still important for her to continue to help others and end the stigma that surrounds those looking for help.

“That’s my goal, to stop the stigma,” Krupp explained. “The stigma that’s on addiction and those that are using substances just needs to stop.”

Although he’s no longer there on the rides, Krupp still found a way to keep her brother’s memory close. He’s visible on some her tattoos, and she keeps his sobriety chip around her neck while she rides.

Krupp’s stop in Terre Haute was at the new Recovery Café. Advisory Board Member Issy Hyde-Kelley helped organize the Krupp’s stop in Terre Haute. Hyde-Kelley said Krupp and her story is an inspiration to those dealing with addiction in the area.

“Mental illness and substance abuse are two big things that we deal with a lot here,” Hyde-Kelley said. “We thought it was really important for her to come here and it’s an inspiration to all of us.”

The Recovery Café now has new hours. They’re open on Tuesday’s from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday’s from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.