Alex's road back to college!
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Hi there, my name is Alex Smith. I'm 29 years old and I live in California with my boyfriend, and we own a blind dog named Bronwyn. I work as a behavior interventionist for kids with special needs, mainly those diagnosed with autism. I am enamored with the blissful blessings that life has brought upon me. Unfortunately, my life didn't always rest on such a positive note.
Roughly three years ago, my life was headed in a polar opposite direction. I was homeless, petrified and addicted to heroin. I caused what seemed like irreversible damage to the lives of others and my own in ways that words wouldn't suffice to describe. I was hopeless, lost and beaten down by the circumstances that were in front of me. One who has not experienced the same turmoil of addiction cannot begin to fathom the misery that overtakes every facet of your life.
And it was two years, ten months and 26 days ago that I made a decision to change my life. I had reached the illusive bottom that everyone reads about. I had had enough of the ways I went about living. I hesitantly reached out to my mother for help, and she graciously reciprocated. She sent me to a treatment center in Southern California, and it was from that point forward that my life slowly began to blossom into the wonder that it is today.
I worked hard. I made amends to the people that I harmed. I stayed persistent and I never gave up hope even when it had appeared that all odds remained against me. I developed the blueprint for the life I currently have, and everything that I accounted for followed suit and fell perfectly into place. Most importantly, I was able to regain a position at a job that allows me to engage in my passion of helping children with special needs and their families.
Unfortunately, one piece of the blueprint remains unfulfilled.
Due to the wreckage that I caused in my years of using, I was unable to finish my route to a Bachelors Degree at Cal State Northridge. I was disqualified from college. Only two semesters of classes remain until I am able to obtain the illusive degree I yearn for.
This was my last option. I didn't want to have to ask the public for help. I've exhausted all other resources. I am ineligible for any financial aid from any school. It is up to me to gather enough money together to be able to finish my degree. Obviously, I don't have the necessary funding at the moment, and that's why I'm asking for your help.
To finish my degree would be on par with the greatest accomplishment I have ever captured right next to obtaining three years of sobriety. In finishing my degree, I will be eligible to attend grad-school and complete my ultimate goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In doing so, I will be able to help even more families and children than I already feel I have.
Anything helps. The only realistic dream I have left is going back to college. I yearn to be there once more. I feel helpless reaching for something so desperately, yet not being able to actually grab it. This truly is my last glimmer of hope. I've tried every option, from scholarships, to grants, to private and student loans. I am out of options.
I greatly appreciate any help that is given to me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Roughly three years ago, my life was headed in a polar opposite direction. I was homeless, petrified and addicted to heroin. I caused what seemed like irreversible damage to the lives of others and my own in ways that words wouldn't suffice to describe. I was hopeless, lost and beaten down by the circumstances that were in front of me. One who has not experienced the same turmoil of addiction cannot begin to fathom the misery that overtakes every facet of your life.
And it was two years, ten months and 26 days ago that I made a decision to change my life. I had reached the illusive bottom that everyone reads about. I had had enough of the ways I went about living. I hesitantly reached out to my mother for help, and she graciously reciprocated. She sent me to a treatment center in Southern California, and it was from that point forward that my life slowly began to blossom into the wonder that it is today.
I worked hard. I made amends to the people that I harmed. I stayed persistent and I never gave up hope even when it had appeared that all odds remained against me. I developed the blueprint for the life I currently have, and everything that I accounted for followed suit and fell perfectly into place. Most importantly, I was able to regain a position at a job that allows me to engage in my passion of helping children with special needs and their families.
Unfortunately, one piece of the blueprint remains unfulfilled.
Due to the wreckage that I caused in my years of using, I was unable to finish my route to a Bachelors Degree at Cal State Northridge. I was disqualified from college. Only two semesters of classes remain until I am able to obtain the illusive degree I yearn for.
This was my last option. I didn't want to have to ask the public for help. I've exhausted all other resources. I am ineligible for any financial aid from any school. It is up to me to gather enough money together to be able to finish my degree. Obviously, I don't have the necessary funding at the moment, and that's why I'm asking for your help.
To finish my degree would be on par with the greatest accomplishment I have ever captured right next to obtaining three years of sobriety. In finishing my degree, I will be eligible to attend grad-school and complete my ultimate goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In doing so, I will be able to help even more families and children than I already feel I have.
Anything helps. The only realistic dream I have left is going back to college. I yearn to be there once more. I feel helpless reaching for something so desperately, yet not being able to actually grab it. This truly is my last glimmer of hope. I've tried every option, from scholarships, to grants, to private and student loans. I am out of options.
I greatly appreciate any help that is given to me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Organizer
Alex Smith
Organizer
San Clemente, CA