My realization of the Journey-rough draft

Having been given the task of sharing something that I have learned , reeled me to my beginning of my academic process as a college student . I returned to school 30 years after dropping out of high school and receiving a GED.  The motivation to return to school all began when I experienced two strokes and two heart attacks. My condition  forced me to stop working and pressed me into a system that is not kind to those less fortunate. While at a Doctors appointment one day I took notice of the ill treatment of a client that was not familiar with the English language. Frustrated by the way this woman was being handled, I enquired of the receptionist how one would become an advocate for the clients.
Needless to say, she was not very happy I had asked. She really took it as a personal insult and responded with a very nasty tone and said "well, You have to get a degree in Human services!!

Needless to say her tone was one that said I couldn't do it, and that was all it took for me to get off my butt and register. 6 months later I was a student and on my way. But I hadn't really counted the cost or set a good plan in motion. That first year was a blind leap of faith, the information I was given by a councilor, (whom I later found out was a student and not a councilor at all). Sent me down the entirely wrong path, which caused me to waist a good deal of time on classes I did not need. Fortunately I did have excellent Professors, who assisted me in getting connected with the Advisor I needed. Dr. Muriel Cohen, She is the administrator over the Human services department. Through her guidance I was connected with Professors that have literally changed my life. Not just because of the information they have imparted, but mainly because of their genuine concern for the success of their students. Even more amazing was their willingness to be transparent.

I realized early that College unlike high school is a "you are on your own" environment. I mean, very few of the professors are tolerant of your struggle with learning. No matter what the reason it seems. the statement does not apply to all , just those that I personally encountered. As I stated earlier I was very fortunate. There are three teachers who made a significant impact in my learning process. by their example the assured me that I can and will make it. I hope to share with you those things they imparted to me assisting me in maintaining my zeal to complete the process.

An overview of my life says that I should not be were I am doing what i am doing. emotionally , and physically abused, mentally damaged by others and their madness. It is truly my opinion that my life is a miracle. The medical challenges have been my greatest because of the extent of the effects that came from them. After having The first stroke and Heart attack, I had basically all my mental capacity as well as physical strength. But when the second hit me it was like night and day. In the beginning I would be afraid to leave home, because once away from the familiar I would be lost. I can remember going out to walmart one day, and halfway down the road I drew a blank. I had no idea were I had come from or were I was headed. I have never experienced a fear like that since , and really i never hope to ever again. I can remember sitting on the side of the road crying and praying that I would recall the lost moments.

So naturally coming back to school without a real plan, to say the least was like a set up for my failure , but as i stated the right people have been a part  of this amazing journey. The first that I would like to talk about, is Ms. Irene Bittrick. A professor that at one point had her own practice. A woman that is very passionate in the area of abuse of children /youth/Adults and Seniors. Her Impact in my life was one of true compassion of the field it self. She would just dialog with us, she engaged us in a way that, provoked thought and intent.  She made us evaluate the reasons why we wanted to do this specific field of study. She warned us of the impending dangers of personalizing and learning the important skill of separating the issues, realizing that it is not about us but the wellness of the client. One of my favorite course that I had with her was Suicide intervention and prevention, catching people at the point that hope is almost gone and helping them achieve their healthy place. Something about the idea of encouraging another  gave me great satisfaction as well as a zeal to learn all I could. Ms Irene seemed to know just how to keep me engaged when at time the entire class was moaning because of the style she taught in.

while they could not understand handouts and then over views of the handouts, i was elated the repetition gave me the chance to really get it..Somewhere in the process My brain began to heal and restore itself. I actually got a 3+ GPA and was on the presidents list a couple of quarters. could have been because I took ceramics along with the tough courses to buffer the experience. Sociology, Phsycology, just to name a couple had my mind reeling.

Then there was Mr Chris Swift. This is my hero. He was transparent with his inabilities and that inspired me. He told us He was dyslectic, and also an ex addict. Challenged in every aspect of his life. Dysfunctional family life and the rest following. Chris gave me a term that changed my life in academic learning. "The Journey". His principle way of teaching was simply to put emphasis on the personal application of what he imparted. It was our story, personal and clear. He did not like us to respond with what we thought he wanted to hear , but rather what was on our minds. Our opinion mattered, and our input was important and mattered.

One of my fellow students was also a very important part to me learning experience. He had a story that was amazing. His life was one of drugs,sleeping in the woods and not caring about anything but the next high. His name is unimportant. The fact that He turned it all around was the motivator. He is now at Washington state University furthering his academic career.

These people all have one thing in common with me and because of that I was catapulted into a world of academia that i never believed I could achieve. They each had their own challenge but overcame them and are successfully accomplishing there goals. they helped me to see that no matter what my challenges i can complete anything I put my mind to. There is nothing too hard to achieve. I learned that no matter what people say in terms of what we can or can not do the true out come is totally up to the Me. It just requires me to press forward when it is not easy, and have confidence in the ability that God gives me to achieve excellence in my life. I have also learned that bad situations have only the power that i give them in my life. i have intelligent choice, and I choose to succeed.