I’m 43 yrs old from Kansas City, Missouri. I’m a mother of three. I am also a recovering addict. I have suffered with addiction since the age of 13. I didn’t even know what an addict was before i became one. I believe my addiction is what lead to my imprisonment. I was indicted in 2019 for Drug Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. I was blessed with Pre-trial , but messed that up running from the Government. I then received another indictment for bail jumping. I was caught in Oct. 2020. I have been incarcerated since that time . In August of 2022, I was sentenced to 240mths for Drug Conspiracy and another consecutive 20mths for bail jumping .The day of sentencing is so hard for all who have ever been judged. I gave up that day. I gave up faith,I gave up on being able to raise my two young children,I gave up on me. After being incarcerated I continued to feed my addiction. I used any substance that would take away emotions. I finally went from Federal holding to Federal prison in October 2022. I was happy to finally get to prison. I had all these hopes of a system that would help me rehabilitate. I realized very quick that is not how the the system works, so I continued to get high. On my off-days I signed up for every program i could. I had so many goals that I wanted to achieve during my incaration, my GED being the first one. Finally , in January 2023 I was placed in GED class. I struggled during the first month with my life-long demon, addiction. I wanted to do better and be better. In February 2023, I stopped using all substances. I fought back and forth with my addiction, but I stayed clean. I received my GED in May 2023. I was very proud to be clean, and that I achieved my goal of getting my GED. In June of 2023, I got a job in the Education department as a clerk. I realized I wanted to help others, so i started training for a tutor position. I was finally able to become a GED Tutor in January 2024 with my first class of 15 students five months later 13 of the original 15 graduated. I love my job. I continue to learn, and am able to help others better themselves. I continue to better myself as well through completing programs. I will continue to work hard with lots of self disipline to be better.
