Education and Addiction:
As far back as I can
remember about my education, I’ve always had difficulties with reading,
mathematics, and pronunciation. Most importantly, I have had a hard time
focusing on the work in front of me with all the distractions happening around
me. I still struggle with some of the same issues today. Yet I am handling them
much differently than I have in the past.
In elementary school there
were many times where teachers, tutors and friends have tried to assist me with
my education. There were tutors who volunteered their time from some of the
local Colleges and teachers would sit with me, on their own time, as well as
friends that were also trying to help me. But again, my false pride would not
allow it. As a result of not letting others help me, I started to experiment
with drugs and alcohol which turned to a disreputable lifestyle that kept me
from having any interest in furthering my education.
I was always getting into
trouble with my classmates and the teachers. I disrupted the class room
numerous times throughout the day by starting arguments and fighting with my
classmates, not participating in classroom activities, and never completing my
homework. As a result of my inappropriate behavior, I was put into special
education classes, sat in corners, stayed after school, and was suspended from
classes on a regular basis. I also was held back three grades and eventually was
expelled from school at age seventeen.
Due to my lack of education
and destructive lifestyle that I was living, I was unable to maintain steady
employment, positive relationships or a productive life style. I have had many jobs
and the opportunities to advance in some of them, but when it came to reading,
writing, or performing basic math or even when there were constructive
conversations were involved, I would somehow sabotage my position, opportunities,
and relationships. My false pride would not allow me to let anyone see or even explain
to others that I had difficulties in these areas.
I have had several
opportunities to further my education and to improve my lifestyle throughout
the years. When I was seventeen or eighteen year’s old living in Houston,
Texas, my Stepmother tried so desperately to assist with my education and my substance
abuse problems. She arranged a big brother figure to come to see me, a tutor to
help assist me with my educational needs, and lots of support with my substance
abuse problem. Again my false pride got in the way and derailed my intentions.
When I was in my early
thirty’s, I was seeing a psychiatrist when I was incarcerated. I believe she was
trying very hard to get me to recognize that my substance abuse issues may have
been the very reason I was having difficulties improving my educational needs and
living a productive lifestyle. I also believe that that psychiatrist planted a
seed in my mind, because I have been battling my addiction and my education
ever since that time. I managed to put together three and a half years abstaining
from alcohol and drugs. It was during that time I attended a few adult education
classes and again I allowed my false pride to get in the way and I relapsed. After
my final relapse in 1997, I was fortunate enough to complete a six month
residential substance abuse program and eventually got the opportunity to work
in the substance abuse field. It was during this time I made a couple of attempts
with pre-GED programs, yet never followed through with my plans and finally accepted
that I will probably never get my GED.
About seven or so months ago, the company that
I’m employed with had a state inspection of all records and found out that I
did not have my high school equivalency which created a problem. The CEO of my
company and her assistant informed me that I was important to the company and
that they would do everything within their power to assist me to resolve this
issue. The CEO’s assistant did some research and informed me that Penn Foster had
a High School Diploma Program and the company would pay my tuition in full in
order for me to obtain my high school diploma. The way this program is laid out,
it is amazing and it has helped me a great deal with my job, my job performance
and my future goals. The school has a community website where I was reading where
a young lady was struggling because of everyday responsibilities, working
full-time employment and trying to find time to study. I responded back with, “I
knew how difficult it can be to find time to study when you have family
obligations and working full-time. I have been fortunate to have a great job
for number of years now and I know I am well qualified for what I do. I have a
number of CEU's, and have been to a great number of trainings in my field, but
by not getting my GED or high school diploma finally caught up with me. The CEO
of the company had my back on this and paid my full tuition in order for me to
obtain my high school diploma. I started with Penn Foster high school on February 28, 2013. There have been times
that I wondered if I would be able to follow through with getting my diploma
but just recently the CEO of my company passed away and I know now that I have
to follow through, and so can you.” She responded back saying thanks and good
luck.
By me completing this essay,
I will be halfway through my high school diploma program. Don't get me wrong, I
still struggle greatly with everyday responsibilities, but with the help of my
employer, friends, relatives and the Penn
Foster high school program, I'll be able to achieve my goals.