At an early age I gained insight on how society is not always accepting to those individuals considered to be "unusual." Growing up, I was not able to understand why my uncle's behaviors were so different from other adults; however, as I got older I became knowledgeable of his mental illness. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia paranoid type. He is a low functioning individual who refuses to take medication. The use of illegal substances assists with managing the symptoms of his diagnosis; however, it also elicits violence and promotes criminal activity. His behaviors prompted my curiosity involving serious mental illness and its effects on interactions with the legal system. .
I am the younger of two children born in a small remote town known as Mineral, Virginia. At the age of thirteen, my mother; who was my inspiration, my mentor, and my motivator, suddenly was diagnosed with Leukemia. My older sister was preparing to leave the home to begin her life as a freshman in college and my father was now responsible for my mother's medical bills, the household bills, and a teenaged daughter on his own. I was no longer a happy, carefree high school student. I was the youngest daughter at home raising herself into becoming a young adult with responsibilities. My strengths of spirituality, determination, compassion, and listening were revealed as well as tested. I was placed in a position that required me to make important decisions each and every day. My strengths were essential in helping me make those decisions, in helping me give hope and comfort to my father and family members, and in helping me to survive and endure pain; while continuing to go on with life. I obtained employment to assist my father with the bills at a nearby daycare after school while attempting to manage my school responsibilities. I was determined to make my family's lives as normal as possible.
Since finishing my Master's Degree, I have accomplished my goals, lived some dreams, and have had the privilege of working in diverse career fields, such as substance abuse counselor, mental health counselor, and presently, case manager.