I am a mom of 2 bipolar daughters. I have been on welfare before and worked my way off it. I have seen how the juvenile justice system treats our children and the adult system treats the mentally ill.My daughter has been before a judge and I defended her to the death to make sure she didn't become a statistic. That child is now a sucessful 9th grade student.If the justice system had it there way my children would have never been able to stay together.
I myself suffer from a major anxiety disorder which kept me agoraphobic for over a year.I could not leave my house even to get groceries for my children.I was truly paralyzed with fear. The system wasn't kind but they did get my kids and I through a very difficult time in our lives.I desperately want to give back to the community and assist the mentally ill children in their plight in this world. It isn't an easy place to be.Quoite often the mothers feel no one could possibly understand what they go through. I can honestly look them in the eye and tell them I know what it feels like to see your child in shakles and leg irons in a court room where you cannot touch them.
I am in school for criminal justice. I am in my scond year of school just 4 classes shy of my graduation. My student loans have run out and I do not qualify for any more grants.Unless I come up with $3157 by the 28th of this month school for me is a memory.
I will still keep making a difference in every teen that I meet life only I could have done so much more behind the scences.
I thought the hardest battle I was ever going to fight was freeing my own children from the justice system and getting them the help they needed. I never imagined anything would have been harder then freeing myself from the self imposed prison I put myself in with the agoraphobia.
I am finding out that even with the 3.69 grade point average I hold in my classes it isn't enough to keep me in school.When the money is gone and poverty takes over there you are.This is the biggest battle of my life.
I am working with lawmakers to protect the mentally ill and see that they get every opportunity in the worldd. A child deserves every chance at a life.
I am working to change laws of children who are tortured by their parents growing up because they weren't wanted. Some day God willing I will finish my degree and be in a position where I can help kids easier then with the knowledge I have and no job to do it in.
Thank you for listening. If anyone knows any programs that may be able to help me to stay in school please share. Thank you
Does everyone get the opportunity to go to school and make a difference in this world?
By soulsekr13 - Posted on February 22nd, 2007
Tagged: Take Action
• Broad prosperity
Staying in school is hard, I myself have had a lot of trouble managing to come up with money as well, despite my grades. So I can imagine how hard it must be for you not only having the costs of living whilst being a student, but having children in addition to that. I've found that because my young age, loans are difficult to get, but perhaps you might have better luck pursuing them?
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
I wish there was more people like you in the world that don't think only of themselves. I'm sorry to hear your situation, there's a website you might know about called fastweb.com which offers a variety of scholarships. All you have to do is create an account which is free and they find scholarships for you to sign up for. Most of these scholarships require a short essay and some only require to sign up between certain dates. You might wnat to give this a try.
The mentally ill seem looked down upon and their abilities underestimated. I admire your courage and strength to push through hard times like you've gone through. With your determination and dedication, you'll be able to find a way. I know that's easier said than done, but there are websites like fastweb.com and many scholarship and loan opportunities in the financial aid offices and even banks. Don't give up. Even if you don't have the money this semester, try and come up with it over the summer months and pursue your degree next semester.
-Danielle-