I am a 29 year old single mother of a 3 year old little boy and a 5
month old little girl, so I guess I qualify as a woman on her own
raising these two alone. My professional career is as an
Administrative Coordinator, but I am currently being a homemaker so
that I may be at home with my children and be a major part of their
younger years in hopes of providing emotional and mental support as
they grow and develop. While at home, I am enrolled in a medical
billings and claims specialist study that allows me the time with my
children as well as the time to study and within a month obtain a
position with a local doctor's office where I will still be able to
work from the home.

In regards to obstacles in life...life itself is sometimes an obstacle
to overcome and get through everyday..but things are never as bad as
they seem for me, because someone else in the world probably has it
just a little harder than I. I've been through many things since I
was a small child, having raised myself since I was 9 as my mother
worked 2 jobs and her free time was not centered on myself or my older
sibling, but feel that I am that much stronger an individual, being
able to face whatever happens in my life. I have used the unpleasant
memories as a basis to make my life better...though sometimes I have
made wrong choices and many mistakes along the way. But , again,
these instances have only made me stronger, and with two children
under my wing, I need that strength. The Lord has played a great part
in my life, as I would not have made it this far without His
neverending love and guidance. When others walked away time & time
again, He stayed and gave me courage to go on, even when I felt there
was no point in continuing.

When I was 21, I made the mistake of getting involved with drugs..it
was only a one time thing, but then it became everyday, and while this
was before I ever had children, it makes it no less wrong. I became
and addict, and the person that said he loved me and would never do
anything to hurt me was the one providing it. For a year I went
downhill..I was working a full time job in the day, a part-time job at
night and a few hours on the weekend, my own car, my own apartment,
credit line, and I was feeling good about myself. Once I started on
cocaine, everything started to disappear...but by the time I started
to wake up to it, I was to the point that I got behind on rent,
couldn't afford the car insurance, or to pay my utilities because it
was all spent on this high that took me away from reality for awhile.
I finally woke up to the fact that I was an addict when I went
throught the house, looking for any little bit of cocaine that my
boyfriend at the time might have stashed...the house looked like a
cyclone had hit it when I was through. I had also realized that I
had not been anywhere in 2 weeks..not to the grocery store, to visit
friends or family, not even for a walk, and when I looked in the
mirror , it wasn't me looking back...I had lost 20 pounds and become
pasty white and unhealthy in appearance. I cried for hours about it.
When the boyfriend came home, I told him no more of it would come
through my door or into my body, because I wasn't the same person and
I didn't like the shell of the person I really was. I have been clean
for 7 years, and never again had the desire to even have a little
after that day. I found myself with God's love and my own
determination. I'm not proud of what I did by any means, and I've
made it a point to tell others - not in a boastful manner, but in a
manner of regret and sorrow for having even tried it and I tell them
it's not worth it. it's better to be high on God's love and kindness
than anything else in this world. It's a natural high. I consider
that to be my area of self-help.

Up unitl recently, I had been in a relationship for almost 2 years,
and withstood anger, vulgarity and hostility undeserved...and had
always let "I'm sorry" wipe the slate clean. But, after I was left
again for the 10th time in this relationship, the day after Christmas,
I vowed never again. My children and I were better off alone than
with constant turmoil. I came to realize that nothing is better than
anything, and that being alone and being alone is better than being
with someone and still being alone. I feel that mental and emotional
abuse is sometimes worse than physical abuse, as mental and emotional
scars never truly heal and are always there as a reminder of what once
was. In that aspect, I feel that I am a survivor.

I am a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ladies Auxiliary for
The Veterans of the Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Eagles. I am kept
posted of the happenings , as I live in Georgia, and my affliations
are in Pennsylvania. I am proud to be a member of each of the
organizations and what they stand for.

Having two small children does not allow me to devote time to other
things at present other then their wellbeing and raising. I did not
have time with my mother as a child as everything else was always more
important. I feel that my children deserve my time, attention, love
and care as much as I can give. i have opted not to have a social
life at present, as my concern is with my children, as they are the
future generation, and it is important that they have proper structure
and guidance now so that they will be able to stand for causes and
beliefs when they are older without doubting themselves.

My stand as an individual is that I am just that - an individual. I
am me - there is no other like me. My opinions are my own - I am not
influenced by others and do not try to "fit in" with everyone else in
the world. I appreciate my uniqueness and my capabilities as an
individual in this everchanging world. I keep reality in check at all
times, and believe in being aware of my environment and surroundings
every day, living a day at a time, but planning well for the future.
I do not believe that I am better than others, but I am not beneath
others either. I am a human and feel that I should be treated as such.