My name is Tiffany Vasquez I was born and Raised in Espanola N.M. This my only prison sentence. I at a very young age was exposed to a lot of negative behavior that set me on the path that eventually got me to this prison. My first incarceration was at the age of 14 yrs old. I was a very rebellious child. I was mostly raised by my grandparents and looking back had a lot better up bringing that a lot of other children. I had been exposed to drugs and ditching school since I got to the 7th grade. I have a younger sister that is three yrs younger than me. My mom was in my life also but she also was stuck in addiction. She was mostly was a alcoholic. I dropped out of school permanently when I was in the 11th grade. I was so far behind that I didn’t want to do the work to try to graduate. I always had it in my head that I would go back and get my G.E.D just didn’t make the time to do it. At the age of 15 I got with the man who I would eventually have my first 2 kids with. I also started using cocain almost on a daily basis. I was living two lives at this point trying to be good and not let anyone know what my night life was like. At the age of 16 I became pregnant with my first daughter. I stopped using drugs and was completely ecstatic bout her. I had Celine at the age of 17. Just a few months after her I learned I was pregnant with my second son Manuel. It was ruff for a while but I loved it. I loved being a mom. I had a great support system with our family’s and the father of my children Patrick took care of us. When I was 19 things started to change for the worst. Patrick started to drink heavily and I started to use again. Slowly things started to spiral and It came to Patrick and I separating. I had to ask my mother Anna who was in recovery to take Celine and Manuel. I needed them to be taken care of give them the support I could not at the time. I met my husband Carlos at that time and we spent all our time together. I started getting into more trouble in and out of jail trying to deal with being an addict and a mother and still spend time with the kids. Carlos and I wanted to come to be sober at the time just didn’t know how. We moved to Alb N.M. I found out I was pregnant with our first son Ignacio and we married in 2005. I sober for my pregnancy’s and after I had Ignacio I relapsed. I come to find out I am pregnant again with my fourth son Santiago. Carlos and I move back to Esp. My son comes into the world in Nov “26. Along with addiction comes domestic violence and Ignacio and Santiago get taken into CPS custody. We struggled to get our family back together and get sobriety in our lives. We separated and I did well for a few yrs on my own but still had a longing for my children who were now in the custody of my sister in law Renee. In 2007 I found out I was pregnant with my fifth child Jade. I am still sober at this time and then I loose my mom to liver cancer. I lost jade to Renee again who fought me for her through courts saying I was not able to care for her properly and Renee got custody of her. I completely back slide. In and out of jail and in and out of addiction. I just didn’t have the tools I need to stay sober. I was put into my first rehab at the beginning of 2008 and that seed was planted. I had three more children after that and I eventually lost custody of. I was also in and out of sobriety in and out of jails rehabs. I was in and out of a very abusive relationship with Carlos. I got this case for Conspiracy on possession with intent for methenphetimine. I promised myself that I was going to take advantage of this opportunity for a second chance to completely change my life as I have eve know it. I got to Aliceville on Nov 7th 2022. I have accomplished getting my G.E.D and am currently in a V.T. Electrical program which will be completed In Dec. of 2024. I am working to do anything and everything to build a solid foundation for myself so when reentry does come I will not have to ever live the way I have in my past. To me education is everything to be successful and there are things to learn every day that will be applied to my life now and in the rest of my future. I am building a great relationship with all except three of my babies right now and am looking forward to having them all back in my life in time. My grandma who raised me is 94 with dementia and I am only hoping that I make it home in time to show her all her efforts to help me have a good life with my kids were not ever waisted. I know that this prison sentence is and has been real hard on me and my family but has helped me with a complete second chance. It is hard some days but I push through with a positive attitude and am grateful for who I am today. I am grateful that my kids see the change in who I am and I try to share the positivity everyday with those around me. With a warm smile and have a blessed day greeting. I share my experiences with others even though at times I know I get judged but I am who I am today because of the path I traveled. I wish I would have made different decisions at times but I love who I am now and am looking forward but never forgetting.
