Need money to make my dream come true

Namaste · Nov 28, 2007, 06:43 PM

I am a 35 year old undergrad, studying psychology and spanish. I am an alcoholic in recovery (4 1/2 years sober) and have ADHD. I plan on getting a PhD and becoming a psychologist. I will specialize in work with youth at risk.

Upon transferring to CSU Channel Islands from Santa Barbara City College (in CA), I decided it was time to concentrate on school full time without working. I have been working full time and going to school for many years. With ADHD, I realize that I need to be able to focus on one thing at a time. This has been the right choice, as my first semester toward my BA draws to a close.

I took advantage of school loans, applied for scholarships , and became a client at the Dept Of Rehabilitation. I have never received scholarships, and govt grants are out of reach, even after raising my GPA. I am heavily in debt with past loans and other financial wreckage (from when I was drinking). I have no assets, and owe more than $35,000. And I rent in Santa Barbara! My parents are helpful, but I no longer wish to rely on them financially, as I need to be self-sufficient.

I have plenty to offer any community, even without the degree(s). I have worked with adults and children with disabilities for over 15 years. I left a job I love working with youth at risk as a special ed aide to get qualified to work with teens individually in a counseling capacity.

I searched the web endlessly and have not found a way to contact Oprah, Bill Gates, etc, as an individual. I simply want to write letters asking for help. Can anyone show me how to do this?

Thank you for your help!

Michelle

Namaste · Dec 27, 2007, 04:49 PM

Working at a job has not been in my best interest, when I am unable to do school work as intended. I can't afford to go to school and fail. That's why I am working on school. I guess others here haven't considered that school is a job. There is always a lot of work to do. I have not stopped working, I have stopped going to a job. Either way, I am earning my keep, so to speak.

I am familiar with all those whose issues far outweigh mine...I have been working with them for over 16 years, and teens at risk for over 4 of those years. And these people you speak of...some of them go to school and do not work. Just because my disability is not severe does not mean it isn't a disability.

Anyway, we don't even really know eachother, and often with online communication, the message gets lost in translation. I feel like these forums just get people all fired up, with no solution. I do appreciate the feedback, but I do wonder where my question walked off to. I am already settled with my decision to not work, and wanted info on other options.

I have learned that those options lie within me. I have heard a few good ones from some of you, and tutoring has comed to mind. I just need it to be very part time, or my studies will be affected.

Thanks for the feedback. It's time for me to stop looking outside myself for answers.

Peace to all.

Michelle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

I will have to disagree, quiting work , how is that in your best interest if you can't afford to go to school. most adult students have to work and go to school,

and while I do hope you succeed, I jsut don't see your issues near as bad as a 1000 others that may be paralized form the neck down, may be blind, may be in a wheel chair, and so on,

So in the list of who people will just give money to, your issues will not even make the top 100.

Just tyring to be honest

oneguyinohio · Dec 27, 2007, 07:59 PM

I too am a graduate student, with a child, and I have had to go to work in order to make a life. I did not have any government agencies helping me pay for schooling. I know all about financial struggles in trying to finish a program. I had my financial aide taken away from me upon finishing a master's degree when I had previously been told that I would get it until I finished Ph.D... guess there were funding source issues or something, so I had the rug pulled out from under me on that one... I was forced to withdraw from the program, and it cost me a year and a half to reenter because of application deadlines... In the meanwhile, I live in a 48 year old house trailer and my home has been burglarized...Many of my neighbors are drug dealers or other types that I would prefer to not live next door...and let me say that your loans are small in comparison to what I owe, but I am making progress slowly toward my goal.

My answer to you was based on my personal beliefs and experiences. I'll wish you well on finding what you are looking for, but be careful not to spend all your efforts on hopes.

joeannmaillo · Jan 5, 2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Please help me let go of whatever is stopping me from living my dream!

With all due respect... You are portraying your self to be a spoiled brat at the age of 35. You need to acknowledge the reality of it all. The truth is alcoholism and ADHD are not excuses and you have not exhausted all your resources sweety; you just refuse to see the truth. Again, with all due respect you're being lazy and as soon as you realize that you can let go of whatever it is stopping you from living your dream... Thousands of people around the world pay their own way through college with no financial help from family, rent and other financial responsibilities, taking care of their elderly parents, and children. It's called a job... Yes, it's hard. It's definitely not going to be easy, but nothing worth having in life is. You want this degree bad enough, right? Well, you're going to have to do whatever it takes to make it happen and the reality is that it will take getting a job and being self sufficient.

Quote:

Quitting my job was in my best interest, and for others I can help in the future. I am not asking whether I need a job or not. I looked into some very PT work recently, only because my other options apparently are not working out. But I am not going back to working again. That does not work for me. School IS my full time job.

You have to be willing to except that the passage above is absolute nonsense and you're in denile. Quitting your job was never in your best interest, because you're complaining about your financial situation as of late. Obviously that's not working baby girl...

Quote:

I am not looking for a handout. I am looking for a way up and out. There is a difference between that and just sitting around waiting for the money to come.

There again, more denial... It's only holding you back. There's nothing wrong with asking for help (wether financial or otherwise), but you are asking for a handout! Wether it's for a cause as you say or not, it's still a handout. You need to change the manner in which you think, because it will only hold you back and you will constantly struggle with this same issue.

It seems to me that you have seriously lost site of your "dream" and you don't even realize it. I don't say any of this to disrespect you or bring you down. I give you props for overcoming alcoholism; that's truly a wonderful thing and I only tell you this to help. Ultimately you are the only one who can help you, but you have to be willing to except certain truths. I wish you all the best in your journey. Namaste!
Jo

Namaste · Jan 15, 2008, 09:40 PM

I no longer need an answer to any of my questions. I've already found my answer, and it isn't here.

I wish all of you who judge a life free of judgement.

There is absolutely no need to respond to this post. Please delete it.

Namaste



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