CASSANDRA'S STORY
April 17, 1984, marked my arrival in this world, in the town of Cortez, Colorado. From the outset, shadows of a grim future loomed over me. My family tree was tainted with a generational curse of addiction. My mother, a victim of the merciless grip of alcoholism, departed from this world prematurely at the tender age of forty-two. Her two sisters, too, succumbed to the same fate.
My father was a ghost in my life, a phantom of a role model. It wasn't that I lacked examples to follow; I
merely had plenty of people I was determined not to emulate.
The state intervened in our lives, separating me and my three siblings. Each of us was sent to live with
different relatives. My choice fell on Aunt Sue and Uncle Stan, a childless couple with hearts full of love.
They may not have had children of their own, but they considered me their own flesh and blood.
They raised me in a disciplined environment where the value of education was held paramount. Uncle
Stan toiled in the oilfields for long, exhausting hours, and Aunt Sue, a woman without a high school
diploma, dreamed of a simpler life for me. While my peers were preoccupied with teenage worries, I
was devoting 12 hours a day to my studies. I graduated high school early, earning a CNA and EMT
basic certificate from a community college, surpassing the educational achievements of my family.
I devoted thirteen years of my life to aiding the elderly in the healthcare field. The company I worked
for recognized my potential and sponsored further education, resulting in state certifications in
Medication Administration and Activity Direction. I was the youngest member of the administrative
staff at C and G Healthcare.
Life, however, is prone to turbulence. Despite having found peace with my mother's struggles, her tragic demise left a gaping void in my heart, leading to several years of self-destruction.
Salvation came in the form of my daughter, Brooklynn Jade, born on May 6th. Her arrival rekindled my spirit. As I navigated the journey of motherhood, I embarked on a path of self-healing and rediscovery, striving to become the best version of myself. Although her father and I parted ways, we continue to share a fruitful co-parenting relationship.
Seeking a respite from the draining cycle of life and death in my job, I attempted to start afresh in a new field, carpentry. While I discovered that I was not cut out for it, I found comfort in the company of a carpenter who owned his business.
We had plans for our future - having a baby before I turned 40, me returning to college for a degree in Sociology. However, those plans were thwarted when my partner revealed his true, abusive nature. I chose to leave, moving into a homeless shelter while eight months pregnant, with my dreams still intact.
Today, my son Allistair is four months old, and I am a full-time student at Fort Lewis College. I am reminded daily of Mahatma Gandhi's powerful words, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." As a single parent, this quote rings true more than ever.
Despite the progress I've made, the road ahead remains challenging. My determination alone cannot cover the mounting college bills and vehicle expenses. I'm reaching out to you, kind souls willing to lend a helping hand, to invest in my journey. Your financial aid will not only provide me with the crucial support I need for my education but will also ensure a reliable means of transport for my little family. Thank you for considering my story and for your generosity. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me one step closer to a brighter future for my children and me.Type your paragraph here.
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