MUSIC IN and OPENING CREDITS—WHITE TEXT on BLACK SCREEN. TEXT DISSOLVES OUT. FADE UP on
TITLE SEQUENCE: MONTAGE of IMAGES from the STORIES. SEQUENCE ends with TITLE: Families First -- Stories of Lives
Changed
TRANSITION to DIANE’S STORY:
DIANE
They let me know I could do anything I put my
mind to…
IMAGE FREEZES. ADD
TEXT to SCREEN: DIANE GILMORE
Moving Toward A
Dream
MUSIC ENDS, as we DISSOLVE to CLOSE on DIANE.
DIANE
19512302 MY MOM WASN’T REALLY THERE BUT
SHE WAS THERE. MY OLDER SIBLINGS KIND OF
CARED FOR ME. // I HAVE 10 SIBLINGS, SISTERS
AND BROTHERS, AND I’M THE FIFTH. AND SHE JUST
WASN’T THERE. AND YOU NEED THAT SUPPORT.
DIANE V0
19473320 // MY FIRST VISION AND ENCOUNTER OF
SEEING SOMETHING TRAGIC WAS SEEING A BABY
FALL FR A SEVENTEENTH FLOOR AND EMBEDDED IN
THE PAVEMENT. THAT RIGHT THERE JUST…TO THIS
DAY I STILL SEE THAT VISION.
DIANE
19505119 // IT’S LIKE, IT JUST CHANGED ME. MY
INSIGHT AT LOOKING AT THINGS…I WAS A KID, JUST
GOING, JUST PLAYING AND TOMBOY ACTUALLY. BUT
WHEN I SEE THAT BABY FALL, THAT CHANGED ME AT
THE AGE OF 10. // I SEE ALL THESE THINGS, AND WE HEAR
ABOUT IT. WE SO USED TO IT WE RUN TO IT, INSTEAD
OF RUNNING AWAY FROM IT.
DIANE
19524914 I WAS FIFTEEN. MY FIRST CHILD. THAT WAS
HARD. I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT TIME. AND I
REALLY THOUGHT MOM WOULD BE THERE. COZ I REALLY
ENJOYED SCHOOL. AND I CAN REMEMBER TELLING HER,
I’M GOING TO BE A TEACHER, I’M GOING TO BE A TEACHER. AND I REALY THOUGHT SHE’D BE THERE FOR ME, TO SUPPORT ME, BUT I HAD TO QUIT SCHOOL COZ I DIDN’T
HAVE NO BABY SITTER. I WAS A MOTHER QUICK, AT THE AGE OF 15. DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. BUT ME CARING FOR MY YOUNGER SIBLINGS, I DID KNOW WHAT TO DO TO BE A MOTHER. BUT ALL MY TEENAGE YRS WERE GONE.
DIANE
19540101 // TRIED TO GET MY GED FOR 13 YRS, ON AND
OFF IN
TO DO SOMETHING WI/MY LIFE. AND WHAT MOTIVATED
ME WAS ME. I SAID, OK, NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE, I GOT TO
DO THIS. WHERE’S MY SUPPORT? I HAVE NONE. ME.
MY CHILDREN ARE MY SUPPORT. I GOT TO DO THIS.
AND I MOTIVATED MYSELF TO GO TO SCHOOL. AND
DO DIFFERENT THINGS. AND AT LEAST TRY. I DIDN’T
GIVE UP.
DIANE
19544913 // MY OLDEST KID’S FATHER UH HE WAS
VERY ABUSIVE. I CAN REMEMBER GOING TO CLASS
ONE DAY. NEXT DAY I HAD TO STAY AND FILL OUT SOME
PAPERS AND I WAS LATE. AND HE BEAT ME. AND THAT
WAS JUST ONE OF THE BEATINGS. I WAS PREGNANT AND
HE BEAT ME. I WAS COMING FR MY SISTER’S HOUSE AND
HE BEATED ME. JUST NUMEROUS TIMES. FOR NO REASON.
BECOZ I’M TRYING TO DO SOMETHING WI/MYSELF. BUT I
DIDN’T LET THAT STOP ME. I STILL TRIED. BUT I DEALT
W/THE BEATING FOR 13 YRS. PEOPLE SAY, WHY COULDN’T
YOU RUN? BUT IT’S NOT THAT EASY.
DIANE
19562223 WELL, I THOUGHT THE TURNING POINT WOULD
BE WHEN MY 11 YR OLD GOT CAUGHT IN A GANG. GANG
GOT A HOLD OF
HIM IN
SO I MOVED TO
A GUY IN PRISON. AND HE GOT OUT AND IN THE PROCESS
I BECAME PREGNANT W/ A SPINA BIFIDA BABY.
DIANE
19575019 JOSHUA SURVIVED TWO MONTHS OF HIS LIFE.
HAD FIVE OPERATIONS. TWO BACK SURGERIES. 10 HR
BRAIN SURGERY W/IN TWO MONTHS. AND THE HARDEST
DECISION I HAD TO MAKE IN MY LIFE WAS SAYING, I CAN’T
TAKE NO MORE. UNPLUG ALL THESE MACHINES. ENUF WAS
ENUF.
DIANE
20023428//. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW. PEOPLE SAY,
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE? YOU CAN’T PREPARE. JUST
BELIEVE. YOU GOT TO OVERCOME IT. BECOZ YOU’VE GOT
OTHER CHILDREN. YOU STILL GOT TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF.
I HAD TO THINK ABOUT THEM. THEY ARE MY LIFE.
WI/OUT THEM, I AIN’T GOING TO SAY I’M NOTHING, BUT
THEY’RE MY STRENGTH. I DON’T WANT THEM TO GROW UP AND BE ON THE SYSTEM. YOU KNOW, SYSTEM IS OK FOR SUPPORT (20032725) BUT DON’T GET COMFORTABLE W/IT.
BE ON IT BY FORCE, NOT CHOICE. THEN MOVE ON.
DIANE
19575019//AND WHEN I BURIED JOSHUA, I TOOK A MAP,
AND I SAID, I DON’T KNOW WHERE I’M GOING, I DON’T’
KNOW WHAT STATE, I KNOW I’M GOING SOUTH. AND
DIANE
20000217 SOMETIMES IN LIFE WE HAVE TO AS A WOMAN,
SINGLE MOM, ON WELFARE, TRYING TO MAKE IT, IT’S
HARD. IT WASN’T EASY. IT’S STILL HARD. BUT YOU GOT
TO WANT IT. I WANTED IT. AND I FEEL MY LIFE PROSPERING
EACH DAY I WANT IT.
DIANE
20035411 STAYED IN
A SHELTER ON
THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF. TOOK IT UPON
MYSELF, GOT ON A BUS, FOUND WHERE YOU GOT TO APPLY
FOR THIS, AND ASK QUESTIONS, AND DID IT. APPLIED FOR
PUBLIC HOUSING. JUST DO WHAT I HAD TO DO FOR ME AND
MY FAMILY.
DIANE
20041709 I THINK I CAME AROUND THE TIME WHEN
FAMILIES FIRST WAS A NEW LAW. I WAS SO EAGER WHEN
I CAME HERE TO GO BACK AND GET MY GED I THINK, WELL,
I WAS REALLY AGGRESSIVE W/THIM, I SAID, I’M READY TO
START TODAY. NO, YOU GOT TO SEE THE CASE MANAGER, THERE’S A PROCESS. AND I SAY, WHY I CAN’T START TO
DAY? WHY I GOT TO DO THIS? A
DIANE
AND FROM THEN ON, I JUST ENJOYED IT. I WAS THERE EVERYDAY, I DIDN’T MISS A DAY. IT WAS REAL ENCOURAGING, AND I NEEDED THAT. AND THEN THE SUPPORT. THAT’S THE KEY. YOU GOT TO HAVE THE SUPPORT.
DIANE
20065422 //
EVERYTHING WAS
PROBLEM. EVERYTHING WAS REAL CONVENIENT FOR ME
TO HAVE DAYCARE RIGHT UP THE STREET FR WHERE I
LIVED. SCHOOL, INTERNSHIP AND DAYCARE. ANYTHING
GO WRONG FOR ME, IN TERMS OF A BUS, I DON’T WORRY
ABOUT THAT. I COULD WALK. THEY MADE SURE I’D GET
THERE.
DIANE
2005172 // I GRADUATED, GOT MY GED W/THE YW, WORKED
AT THE DOLLAR GENERAL INTERN, SOME DAYS I STAYED
AFTER, JUST HAD MORNING CLASS, AND I SAY, YA’LL
FIXIN TO LEAVE? WHERE YA’LL GOING? AND I’M STILL
THERE. VOLUNTEERING. COZ I REFUSED TO GO LOOK AT
FOUR WALLS. I WANTED TO KEEP MYSELF BUSY. DEALING
W/ RECENT DEATH OF MY BABY, I JUST WANTED TO KEEP
MYSELF BUSY.
DIANE at FRESH START W/ BROLL
DIANE
20081428 I BECAME
A
FOR ALMOST A YEAR, BEFORE THE YW HIRED ME. I WAS A
FAMILY ADVOCATE. STILL DOING MOTIVATING AND
EMPOWERING THE WOMEN—SAME KIND OF JOB WHEN THE
YW OFFERED ME THIS ONE. BUT STILL IN MY MIND I WANTED
TO TEACH. I WANTED TO BE A MATH TEACHER. AND I
APPLIED TO TSU. AND I’VE BEEN A STUDENT SINCE 98.
DIANE on
DIANE
20092910 W/OUT THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES, LIKE
THE GED, CHILDCARE, FRESH START, TRAINING,
WHATEVER COMPONENT THEY HAVE, WI/OUT THAT
SUPPORT, IT’S NOTHING. I WOULDN’T HAVE KNOWN
WHERE TO GO AND START. I WOULD’VE FOUND OUT
LATER. BUT DHS IS PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION TO
US. TAKE ADVANTAGE. I TOOK ADVANTAGE. WHAT
ELSE ARE YOU OFFERING? I’LL TAKE IT. I WANT IT.
YOU GOT TO USE IT. DON’T ABUSE IT. BUT USE IT.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
BACK to FRESH START
DIANE
20102200 NUMBER ONE IS ATTITUDE. // 20110029
BEING ABLE TO DO ENOUGH FOR THEMSELVES,
WITHOUT WAITING ON OTHERS. LIKE PROBABLY WHAT
THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING, WAITING ON SOMEONE
ELSE TO DO FOR THEM. THEY CAN DO IT FOR THEMSELVES.
BEING ABLE TO SAY, OK, THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO
TODAY. AND HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY, NO. NO, I DON’T
WANT THIS. NO, I DON’T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT.
YES, I’M GOING TO DO THIS TODAY.
ANGLE FEATURING DIANE interacting w/students
DIANE
20125520 OH, I KNOW THEY CAN DO IT. JUST BELIEVE.
DON’T LET NOTHING STOP THEM. ALL THE BARRIERS
WE HAVE. THE PLANS A, B AND C. JUST KEEP GOING.
DIANE
20143115 YOU KNOW, I WAS FIVE WHEN I TOLD HER THAT.
I WAS PLAYING ONE DAY WHEN SOME OF HER FRIENDS
WERE OVER. AND YOU KNOW HOW YOU DO. AND SHE
SAYS, WHAT YOU GOING TO BE? I SAID, MAMA, I’M GOING
TO BE A TEACHER. ONE DAY I[M GOING TO BE A TEACHER.
AND THAT’S WHAT I REMEMBER TELLING HER. I WANT
TO TEACH. //
CUT to DIANE in her OFFICE at FRESH START
DIANE
20073311 I WANT TO DO MORE. THEY LET ME KNOW
I COULD DO ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO. //
20160924 THIS IS A BLESSING.
MUSIC IN, as we TRANSITION to TITLE SEQUENCE and KAY’S STORY:
KAY
Once you get empowered that way, that you can, nobody
can stop you…
ADD TEXT to SCREEN: KAY
TAYLOR
Opening Doors
DISSOLVE to BROLL
KAY VO
19151301 ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT FOR THE HOUSE
IS A SHED. IT DIDN’T COME W/THE GARAGE. SO I’VE GOT
SIX TWO BY FOURS TOWARDS THIS SHED I’M GOING TO
BUILD. I CAN’T BUY IT FLAT OUT, I’LL BUILD IT. BY THE
END OF THE SUMMER I’LL HAVE THE SHED BUILT. //
19174120 I DIDN’T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THAT. BUT NOW
YOU KNOW IT’S INSTILLED IN ME THAT I CAN.
KAY ON
KAY
18335215 I GOT MARRIED IN
AROUND
A
MARRIED AGAIN AND DIVORCED. AND SO I ENDED UP IN
FOR 15 YRS. AND THEN THAT’S WHERE I ACTUALLY, THAT’S
WHERE I CONCEIVED MEGAN. HA HA THAT’S A GOOD ONE. AND WASN’T SUCH A GOOD THING. I MEAN, SHE’S A GOOD THING. BUT THAT WAS LIKE A REAL STRESSFUL THING.
AND THAT’S HOW I ENDED UP IN LEAVING. I PROBABLY
LEFT HALF MY STUFF IN THE DRIVEWAY. GOT PACKED UP, HEADED DOWN HERE TO STAY W/MY SISTER. AND THAT’S HOW I WAS GOING TO START OVER.
Kay and Megan
KAY
18355802 I COULD’VE GONE BACK TO THE JOB I HAD. I WAS
A PRINTER. I COULD’VE GONE BACK AND BEEN A PRINTER.
IN FACT, I DID GO IN FOR I THINK, ONE WEEK. AND I SAID,
NAH. CANNOT DO THIS. I HAVE TO DO BETTER. // SO THAT’S
WHEN I THOUGHT, I REALLY HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE HERE.
KAY
18373805 //, YOU’RE LEFT BEHIND OR YOU’RE LEFT ALONE,
OR WHATEVER HAPPENS, AND YOU’RE DEVASTATED AND
YOU’VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE ALL THE
PAYMENTS…YOU NEED SOMEONE—LIKE JUDY AND THE
LADIES AT FAMILIES FIRST—YOU KNEED SOMEONE TO
COME IN AND (LIFTS HER HANDS) YOU KNOW LIKE,
GRABBING YOU AND PULLING YOU UP AND SAYING, YOU
KNOW, WE CAN HELP YOU GET UP. WHEN YOU THINK THERE’S NO HOPE. YOU SAY, I DON’T
KNOW HOW TO DO THIS. AND THAT WAS THE THING.
THEY CAN GIVE YOU THAT BOOST. AND IF YOU CAN STOP
BE ANGRY, AT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO YOU, OR WHO
DID IT TO YOU, OR YOU FEEL VICTIMIZED AND THAT
WHOLE THING, IF YOU CAN JUST PUT THAT ASIDE, CHECK
THAT ASIDE, AND CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. AND LET
THEM HELP YOU.
JUDY AND CLASS
KAY
18592325 YEAH, THEY HELPED W/THE CHILDCARE. AND
THEY HELPED ME YOU KNOW I FOUND A CHILDCARE THAT
WOULD BE ON THE WAY. AND THEY HELPED W/THAT THE PAYMENTS. I SIGNED UP FOR EVERY PROGRAM AND ALL THAT STUFF. FOR EVERYTHING THEY HAD. AND I QUALIFIED
FOR A LOT OF THAT. THEY HELPED W/ THE SCHOOL FUNDING.
JUDY’S CLASS FEATURING KSAs
KAY
18352518 AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE BEGINNING OF THIS.
AND IT WAS GREAT. IT GOT ME FROM WHERE I WAS,
LEAVING STUFF UP THERE, TO COMING DOWN HERE AND
GOING THRU ALL THAT, GOING TO SCHOOL, AND GETTING A
GOOD JOB AND ENDING UP WI/A HOUSE. WAS LIKE…IT’S
LIKE, IT’S SOMETHING EVERYBODY CAN DO, BUT YOU DON’T
BELIEVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU.
KAY
18400418 // AND YOU KNOW I DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT THIS AREA. AND TO GET ON A BUS WI/A BUNCH OF
GIRLS I DIDN’T KNOW. AND THE LADY WHO IS DRIVING
THE BUS TO
AND, YOU KNOW…ACTUALLY AT SOME POINT I DIDN’T
REALLY WANT TO GO. I GUESS I SHOULD SAY THAT. IT
WAS SCARY. //
KAY ON
KAY
19010621 BECOZ I AM OLDER THAN ANY OF THE OTHER
GIRLS GOING THRU THAT, I’M 52 NOW. AND YOU KNOW IT’S
LIKE, EVEN WHEN THEY’RE IN THEIR 20S OR 30S, AND YOU
THINK OH GOSH MY WHOLE WORLD’S CRUSHING IN AND I
CAN’T MAKE IT. WHEN THAT HIT ME SOMEWHERE IN MY
40S, IT’S LIKE…WOA! YOU KNOW, THIS JUST CAN’T BE.
THAT WAS MY THOUGHT. I’M LIKE THEM. I’M IN THE
SAME BOAT.
JUDY AND CLASS
KAY
18504715 I MEAN, IT’S GOOD BEING IN A GROUP W/ALL
THE OTHER WOMEN, BECOZ ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
HAPPENS IS WHEN YOU’R IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THING
YOU TEND TO BE ALONE. AND YOU’RE AROUND THOSE
OTHER PEOPLE THAT UH BE CODEPENDENT, OR KEEP
YOU DOWN THERE, WHERE YOU’RE AT. SO WHEN YOU
GET INVOVLED IN THIS AND YOU BREAK AWAY FROM
THEM AND YOU START LEARNING ABOUT THOSE GREAT
WORDS OF CODEPENDENCY AND ALL THAT…(LAUGHS)
YOU LEARN THAT THEY AREN’T GOING TO HELP. YOU
BREAK AWAY, YOU’RE OFFERED THESE SURVIVAL
SKILLS, YOU KNOW YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PASS IT UP.
KAY
18453829 THE WOMEN’S BILL OF RIGHTS IS LIKE, YOU
HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY NO. I LIKE TO THINK, YOU HAVE
THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE SALARY THAT THE MAN MAKES,
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT…YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
TO HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT. YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS,
AS FAR AS UNDERSTANDING THAT AND CHANGING YOUR
ATTITUDE AND SAYING, LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT’S ALL MINE.
AND I NEVER KNEW THAT. YOU KNOW, SOMEONE, LIKE,
WHO’S HUSBAND YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO
GET OUT OF THAT, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED
WELL. I MEAN, THAT’S THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHT. LOTS
OF TIME WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR CRISIS,
OR YOU’RE IN CRISIS MODE, AND YOU DON’T KNOW
THESE THINGS AND
YOU CAN’T EVEN SEE THE
FOR THE TREES, YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET
OUT. THAT’S ALL YOU KNOW. AND IT CAN FEEL SAFE
BECOZ, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? HOW
ARE YOU GOING TO, YOU KNOW? GOING THRU ALL OF
THAT STUFF MADE ME REALIZE, YEAH, YOU CAN GET
WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY COPIES I’VE MADE OF THAT
WOMAN’S BILL OF RIGHTS. (LAUGHS) AND HANDED THEM
OUT TO OTHER LADIES AND SAYING…YOU KNOW, HELLO?
IN CASE NOBODY TOLD YOU, THERE IT IS.
CU ON WOMAN IN CLASS
KAY
19093201 IT’S BEEN LIKE UH UH WHAT? LIKE A TORNADO?
COZ WENT THRU A
SOMEWHER ALONG THE LINE, WHETHER IT HAD TO DO
W/GOING THRU THE CLASSES OR NOT, OF LEARNING TO
HANG IN THERE. TO LET SOMEONE HELP YOU. COZ YOU
REALLY CAN’T DO IT ON YOUR OWN. WHEN YOU’RE DOWN.
AND WHEN YOU GOT FAMILY AND EVERYBODY THAT
KNOWS THE WHOLE STORY…YOU KNOW, LIKE
SOMETIMES, THAT’S NOT REAL GOOD. YOUR BEST
FRIEND KNOWS ALL THIS, AND IT’S LIKE, POOR YOU.
WELL YOU REALLY DON’T NEED THAT. YOU NEED THE
OTHER END. PEOPLE PUSHING YOU, SAYING, YEAH,
YOU CAN MAKE IT.
KAY
18534617 I FINISHED
THE SCHOOL. AT
TECH. AND I DIDN’T HAVE A JOB LINED UP // 18551809
SO, UM I WENT I KEPT IN TOUCH W/EMPLOYMENT
AGENCY AND SHE SAID NISSAN WAS HIRING. // AND I
SAID I’M GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND TRY IT. COZ I
WAS THINKING THAT
WOULD BE
WORK. // I HAD THAT ATTITUDE THEN THAT THERE
WASN’T ANYTHING I COULDN’T DO. // 19174120 ONCE
YOU GET EMPOWERED THAT WAY, THAT YOU CAN,
NOBODY CAN STOP YOU.
KAY W/MEGAN
KAY
19063427 I NEVER THOUGHT I’D GET THIS HOUSE.
AND MY SISTER’S HUSBAND, HE’S A GOOD GUY, AND
MAN THEY HELPED ME THRU EVERYTHING. AND WHEN
I TOLD THEM I WAS BUYING A HOUSE, HE SAID, YEAH,
SURE. HE WOULD NOT EVEN TALK ABOUT IT. WOULD
NOT. YOU JUST GOT THAT JOB OUT AT NISSAN. THERE’S
NO WAY YOU CAN GO FR NOTHING, WELFARE, FR
NOWHERE. AND THEY’LL CHECK. YOU WON’T QUALIFY
FOR THAT HOUSE. BUT I DID. // IT WAS A LONG HAUL.
BUT IT’S MINE. UNBELIEVABLE. //
BROLL OF KAY AND MEGAN AND HOUSE
KAY
// I CAN REMEMBER BACK THEN SAYING, YOU HAVE
TO SIGN UP FOR THIS OR YOU’RE OUT. AND I WAS
THINKING, OH, IT WAS ALMOST OVERWHELMING.
19231703 COZ AT THE TIME I DIDN’T REALIZE WHAT THEY
WERE GIVING ME COZ I HADN’T BEEN THRU IT. NOW I
KNOW YOU’RE NOT GOING TO REGRET IT.
MEGAN SITS ON HER LAP.
KAY (CONT)
19213026 AND IT’S NOT A PUNISHMENT. YOU KNOW ITS
LIKE IF THEY GET INTO THIS AND THEY’RE THINKING, I
HAVE TO DO THIS. IT’S NOT A PUNISHMENT BEING
GIVEN
TO THEM. YOU DON’T GET
THIS. YOU KNOW PEOPLE PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
FOR THESE SEMINARS, AND SOMEBODY IS GIVING YOU
THIS? // EVEN GOING TO HELP YOU W/CHILDCARE WHILE
YOU GO TO SCHOOL. THEY ARE GOING TO HELP YOU.
KAY COMING OUT OF HOUSE.
KAY
IF YOU PASS IT UP, IT’S GOING TO BE A REAL SORRY
THING. LIKE WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES AND ANOTHER
DOOR OPENS UP. THEY’VE OPENED A BIG DOOR. YOU
BETTER WALK THRU THAT.
DIP to BLACK and
FADE UP on BRUCE’S STORY:
BRUCE
As long as you never give up, you stand a chance that things are
going to get better…
ADD TEXT to SCREEN: BRUCE
PHILLIPS
Second Chances
BRUCE
3144902 BY ALL RIGHTS I SHOULD’VE I GUESS CHECKED
ON OUT WHEN I WAS 16 AND HAD A CAR WRECK AND
STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
I GOT TO COME BACK. DOCTORS ALL TOLD MY FAMILY
THERE’S A 10 PERCENT CHANCE OUT OF 100 THAT HE’LL
EVER LIVE A
ALL MY LIFE UP UNTIL RIGHT NOW.
BRUCE
3004908 MY MOM AND DAD DIVORCED WHEN I WAS
TWELVE. AND UH MY GRANDPARENTS ADOPTED ME
AND I LVED W/THEM UNTIL I WAS GROWN.
BRUCE ON
BRUCE
3012404 // I WAS A PERFECT STUDENT IN SCHOOL AND
EVERYTHING AND AFTER THAT HAPPENED I STARTED
FAILING IN SCHOOL. AND ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER
AND I WAS ABOUT 15 AND I DECIDED I WANTED TO
WORK FOR A LIVING INSTEAD OF GOING TO SCHOOL.
AND QUIT SCHOOL AND BEEN WORKING EVER SINCE.
NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET A REAL JOB, NOT WHAT I’D
CALL A REAL JOB. JUST ALWAYS DOING ODD AND END
CARPENTER WORK, FARM WORK, STUFF LIKE THAT.
BRUCE
3104917 AND 91, I HAD A REAL BAD TIMBER CUTTING
ACCIDENT. AND I STAYED DISABLED ALMOST FOUR
YRS BEFORE I COULD GET BACK TO WORK.
3112112 I HAD A TREE TO FALL ON ME. I WAS TOPPING IT
AND IT WAS HUNG OFF THE GROUND. BURIED MY HEAD
FOUR INCHES INTO THE GROUND. TORE ALL THE MUSCLES
LOOSE FROM THE BONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE FR MY TAIL
BONE TO MY RIGHT ELBOW. HAD TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY
DONE. RUN A STICK THRU MY JAW. AND LOST A WHOLE
OF STUFFF THAT’S (WHISTLES) GONE.
BRUCE
3130319 // ALONG W/OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAD,
THE ACCIDENT COZED ME TO HAVE SEIZURES. UH UP
UNTIL…WELL, I HAD ONE IN JANUARY. FIRST ONE I
HAD HAD IN THREE YEARS. BUT IT TOOK THEM FIVE,
SIX YRS TO GET THEM UNDER CONTROL. AND THEY
SAID IT WAS FR GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD SO HARD.
THE SCAR TISSUE. SO THAT KIND OF LIMITED ME ON
JOBS TOO BECOZ I COULDN’T GET A JOB WHERE I’D
HAVE TO BE OFF THE GROUND. // SO, IT’S STARTED
CHANGING THINGS, THE WAY I DID THINGS, THE
WAY I THOUGHT ABOUT THINGS.
BACK TO BRUCE
BRUCE
3060516 BACK IN THE FALL, OCTOBER, GOT OUT OF
WORK AGAIN. LIKE I DO ABOUT EVERY WINTER.
AND UH WENT ON FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM. AND
ONE OF THEIR OFFERS WAS FOR ME TO GET MY GED.
AND I THOUGHT THAT’S WHAT I NEED TO DO THEN.
AND I STARTED THINKING ALL KIND OF POSSIBILITIES.
BRUCE
03074601 THE FACT OF NEVER REALLY HAVING NOTHING.
AND I DON’T WANT MY KIDS TO BE LIKE THAT. I WANT TO
DO BETTER BY THEM. THEY’RE 10 AND 13 YRS OLD AND
THEY GOT A
THEM IS GONNA WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL, IS GONNA WANT
TO GO TO COLLEGE, COZ AIN’T NEITHER ONE OF THEM IS
GONNA WANT TO WORK LIKE I HAVE.
I MEAN, I’VE WORKED UNTIL…I’M 38 YRS OLD NOW.
AND SOME MORNINGS IT TAKES 15 MINUTES FOR ME
TO STAND UP RIGHT FROM THE WORK I’VE DONE ALL
MY LIFE, USING MY BACK AND MY MUSCLES, WHEN
I’VE GOT ENOUGH INTELLIGENCE THAT I SHOULDN’T
HAVE EVER BEEN DOING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND
UH THE TEACHER I HAD THIS WINTER TAUGHT ME
THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING. SHE INSPIRED ME.
BRUCE
3082513 I WAS DOING IT IN THE BEGINNING…I WILL NOT
TELL A STORY…I WAS DOING IT TO PARTICIPATE W/THE
PROGRAM. UH SO WE COULD GET THE HELP WE NEEDED
AND ALL. AND THEN UH SHE KIND OF INSPIRED ME.
LOOK, IF YOU’RE THIS SMART, WHY DO YOU WANT
TO KEEP TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF TO MAKE A
LIVING WHEN YOU CAN DO OTHER THINGS. IT REALLY
GOT ME TO THINKING. ME AND MY WIFE DID SOME
SERIOUS TALKING ABOUT IT. AND UH I’VE GOT AN
OLDER DAUGHTER, SHE JUST GRADUATED FR COLLEGE.
ME AND HER TALKED ABOUT IT. SHE TOLD ME WHAT
SHE WAS GOING THRU W/HER COMPUTER COURSES. SHE
MAJORED IN COMPUTERS. SHE TOLD ME, WELL, I DON’T
THINK IT WILL BE EASY, BUT I THINK YOU CAN DO IT.
BRUCE w/FAMILY
BRUCE
3060516 // AND RIGHT NOW I’M IN THE PROCESS OF
TRYING TO GET INTO
INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE. WHICH RIGHT NOW, FR
WHAT I’VE CHECKED INTO, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST
GROWING CAREERS THERE IS, COZ IT OFFER COMPUTER
COURSES. AND ALL YOUR FACTORIES NOW, EVERYTHING’S
COMPUTERIZED. AND IT PAYS THE MEGA BUCKS.
//I’VE HAD FOUR OR FIVE FACTORIES I COULD’VE HAD
EMPLOYMENT IF I’D HAD THE SKILLS TO DO IT. AND ALL
OF THEM CONSISTED OF HAVING COMPUTER TRAINING.
AND THAT’S SOMETHING I AINT GOT.
BROLL OF BRUCE AND FAM
BRUCE
03065904 // I THINK ALL THE STUDYING THAT I DID
BACK DURING THE WINTER AND ALL TRYING TO GET
MY GED PASSED, I PRETTY MUCH GOT BACK INTO THE
ROUTINE OF IT. I GOT TWO CHILDREN THAT HELPED ME.
BACK TO BRUCE
BRUCE
3090513 EVERYBODY IS KIND OF STANDING BEHIND ME.
IS KEEPING ME MY HEAD UP ABOUT IT. UH UH I THINK
THAT UH THE MAIN THING THAT IS MAKING ME WANT
TO DO IT IS MY KIDS. AND UH THAT AND MY WIFE ALSO. SHE’S KIND OF LIKE ME. AIN’T NEVER HAD A WHOLE
IT’S GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE.
BRUCE
3201601 YEAH, I AIN’T GIVING UP. I’M SURE…THAT’S
SOMETHING I’VE LEARNED: AS LONG AS YOU NEVER
GIVE UP, YOU STAND A CHANCE THAT THINGS ARE
GOING TO GET BETTER. THAT’S SOMETHING THAT
I’VE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL MY LIFE, BUT I NEVER REALLY
REALIZED IT, I DON’T THINK, UNTIL LATELY. I’VE GOT
TO WHERE I’VE BEEN TELLING SOME OF MY FRIENDS
THAT. I’VE GOT SOME FRIENDS HAVING PROBLEMS
W/THIS AND THAT, AND I TELL ‘EM, REMEMBER ONE
THING: IF YOU DON’T NEVER GIVE UP, IT WILL ALWAYS
GET BETTER. COZ IF YOU KEEP TRYING, IT’S GOT TO
GET BETTER.
BRUCE
3243316 I HOPE I’M STILL RIGHT HERE. WORKING 9 T 5
JOB W/MAJOR BENEFITS. THAT’S WHAT I’M HOPING
FOR. I FIGURE IT WILL TAKE ME AT LEAST 18-20 MOS
TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL AND GET MY TRAINING DONE.
BRUCE
30052110 I’VE TRAVELED, WORKING, I DON’T KNOW,
JUST NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE ANYWHERE, ‘CEPT
HERE. I LIKE IT WHERE I’M AT NOW BETTER’N ANY
PLACE I BEEN BEFORE. MAINLY COZ I’M OUT HERE IN
THE COUNTRY AND THEY’RE AIN’T NOBODY BOTHERING
ME. THIS HOUSEHOLD, FIRST TIME I EVER HAD
ANYTHING OF MY OWN. 3054328 IT AIN’T MINE YET.
I’M WORKING ON THAT.
BRUCE
3260027 // I WAS INFORMED LAST WEEK THAT AS LONG
AS I WAS A FULL TIME STUDENT I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR
FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM. SO THAT MEANS, IF I STAY
IN THE FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM, THAT’S A HOUSE
PAYMENT MADE EVERY MONTH. AND I DON’T HAVE
A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, HOW WE GONNA PAY
THAT HOUSE PAYMENT AND ME GO TO SCHOOL?
BRUCE
3191229 I PROBABLY WOULDN’T HAVE SURVIVED
THIS LONG W/O IT. CONSIDERING THE WAY WORK’S
BEEN. I MEAN, IT’S UH IT’S KEPT ME AND MY
FAMILY…IT’S KEPT MY BILLS PRETTY MUCH, I’M
NOT GOING TO SAY CAUGHT UP, BUT IT’S KEPT ME
FROM LOSING EVERYTHING I HAD. //. WHENEVER I
STARTED IN FAMILIES FIRST, WE WERE COMPLETELY
WITH OUT TRANSPORTATION. AND THEY’VE HELPED
US GET A VEHICLE GOING. 3195028 UH IT’S JUST
OPENED UP SEVERAL DOORS THAT I’VE NEVER HAD
BEFORE. REALLY GIVEN ME SOMEONE TO LEAN ON
DURING THESE HARD TIMES I’VE HAD. IT’S UH KEPT
GROCERIES ON THE TABLE AND ELECTRICITY
TURNED ON FOR US THIS WINTER. //
BRUCE
3271517 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY
WHILE IT’S THERE. COZ THEY AIN’T EVERYDAY YOU
GET A SECOND CHANCE. REACH OUT THERE AND
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. IT’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
IF NOTHING ELSE, THEN THE MOTIVATION YOU HAVE.
THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF. JUST
KNOWING THAT I HAVE THAT DIPLOMA HANGING ON
MY WALL, THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME.
BRUCE
IF YOU CAN’T BE HAPPY W/YOURSELF, CAN’T BE
HAPPY W/YOUR FAMILY. AND CAN’T HAVE NO FRIENDS
YOU CAN BE HAPPY W/. 3224225 I GUESS LIVING THE
LIFE I LIVED DID TEACH ME, KIND OF BE SATISFIED A
LITTLE BIT AND IF YOU GOT TO BE ANYTHING, JUST BE
HAPPY W/YOURSELF. // AND UH I’VE HAD SO MANY OF
MY FRIENDS TELL ME, I’M PROUD OF YOU. THAT’S
SOMETHING A LOT OF THEM NEVER SAID BEFORE.
BRUCE
3155610 I THINK I FINALLY GREW UP. YEAH. I
BELIEVE THE FACT THAT I REALIZED THAT I WOULD
NEVER REALY HAVE NOTHING IF I DIDN’T GET MY
DIPLOMA. OR GED. I JUST IT’S GOT TO THE POINT
WHERE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND ANY KIND OF JOB
OTHER THAN A MINIMUM WAGE JOB W/OUT A GED.
OR DIPLOMA. // AND W/TWO KIDS TO RAISE AND
GRANDBABY, IT’S JUST UH YOU GOT TO HAVE ALL
THE EDUCATION YOU CAN TO SURVIVE IN THIS WORLD.
I BELIEVE THAT W/ALL MY HEART NOW.
DIP to BLACK then
FADE UP on SHARLENE’S STORY:
SHARLENE
You got something you can show the world and say, look, I did this.
And did it well…
ADD TEXT to SCREEN: SHARLENE COFFEY
Having
Choices
SHARLENE
4114721 I ACTUALLY QUIT AND GOT MARRIED. QUIT
IN THE NINTH GRADE. GOT MARRIED AND HAD AMIELIA.
THEN HAD SHANE. THEN GOT A DIVORCE AND STARTED
WORKING IN THE FACTORIES. AND GOT REMARRIED
AND HAD ANGIE. AND STILL WORKING IN FACTORIES.
DIDN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT GED. BECOZ FACTORY
DIDN’T REQUIRE ONE. YOU COULD GET A FACTORY JOB
W/O ONE. BUT WHEN TENNESSEE RIVER SHUT DOWN,
WENT TO MEXICO— 4165913 WHEN THERE ARE NO OTHER
JOBS TO GO TO, IT’S PRETTY DEVASTATING. YOU DON’T
KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING OR WHAT YOU’RE GOING
TO DO. YOU GOT KIDS HERE AND YOU GOT TO FEED THEM.
SHARLENE
4171503 AND I THINK IT’S TOUGHER TO GO TO FAMILY
THAN IT IS TO GO TO LIKE A STATE AGENCY OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT. COZ I NEVER DID GO TO FAMILY
FOR HELP. WE JUST TOUGHED OUR WAY THRU IT.
SHARLENE
4124624 I JUST MADE THE DECISION AND DID IT. I HAD
TO DO SOMETHING AND THERE WAS NO MORE FACTORIES.
AND SO IT WAS EITHER GO BACK TO SCHOOL OR FIND
SOMETHING THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY HARD LABOR.
// AND I DECIDED I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING
DIFFERENT. SO, I NEEDED A GED.
SHARLENE
4133615 AND I HAD ACTUALLY TAKEN MY GED BEFORE
I WAS APPROVED TO TAKE MY GED. I WENT AHEAD AND PAID FOR IT AND TOOK IT. HAD ACTUALLY SIGNED UP FOR COLLEGE WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY’D PAY FOR THE GED. I WAS LIKE, I ALREADY GOT IT. BUT THAT WAS OKAY, THEY WENT ON TO HELP ME WITH MILEAGE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. // AND IT WAS A GREAT BIG HELP.
SHARLENE
4142000 I WAS MARRIED AT THE TIME. AND HE WAS
WORKING DAYS. AND I HAD CLASSES ON M AND W, FR
8AM TO 9 AT NIGHT. AND TUES AND THURS WAS JUST IN
COLLEGE DURING THE DAYS. AND WAS HOME ON THE
WEEKENDS. BUT THEY HAD TWO NIGHTS A WEEK THEY
HAD TO EAT DADDY’S COOKING (LAUGHS) SO, IT WAS
ROUGH ON THEM TOO.
SHARLENE
4155013 THEY WERE HAPPY. THEY WERE LIKE, MY
MAMA’S GOING TO COLLEGE. BUT THEY LEARNED, IF
ANYTHING, I THINK THEY LEARNED TO DO IT WHILE
THEY’RE YOUNG. BEFORE THEY MARRY AND HAVE KIDS.
I HOPE THEY LEARN THAT ANYWAY. BECOZ MAYBE
THEY SAW HOW HARD IT WAS ON ME.
SHARLENE
4152316 GOING BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER 12 YRS IS A
BIG OBSTACLE. YOU HAVE A LOT OF ADJUSTMENTS TO
MAKE. HAVING TO DO HOMEWORK AT 28, YOU KNOW
YOU SITTING THERE AT ONE O CLOCK IN THE MORNING
DOING ALGEBRA, AND YOU THINK, WHAT AM I DOING
THIS FOR? I COULD BE ASLEEP. BUT YOU DO IT AND
YOU MAKE YOUR GRADES AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN.
SHARLENE
4291826 I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN IT. IT MEANT
SOMETHING TO ME. WHEREAS, IN NINTH GRADE, IT WAS
JUST SOMETHING YOU HAD TO DO. GET UP AND GO TO
SCHOOL. BUT WHEN I WENT BACK AND GOT MY GED, I
ACTUALLY TRIED TO MAKE GOOD GRADES. I CARED
ABOUT WHETHER I PASSED. I CARED ABOUT WHETHER
I GOT THE INFORMATION THAT I NEEDED. IT’S DIFFERENT.
SHARLENE
4205711 MY MOTHER DIDN’T REALLY PUSH HOMEWORK.
SHE DIDN’T PUSH SCHOOL. THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND
THEY GET THEIR HOMEWORK DONE. // 42149001
HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL DO BETTER THAN I DID. OR
DIFFERENTLY.
SHARLENE
4222806 WHEN YOU GET DONE W/WHATEVER TRAINING
YOU’RE TAKING AND GET TO THAT JOB AND YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND YOU’RE MAKING A GOOD
LIVING FOR YOUR FAMILY AND YOU’RE NOT HAVING
TO DEPEND ON THE STATE FOR ANYTHING, IT’S WORTH IT. //
4092715 I WRITE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS FOR COMPUTERS.
A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER. // 5040501 MY INCOME MORE
THAN DOUBLED.
SHARLENE
4225415 I CAN PROVIDE MY CHILDREN W/COLLEGE IF
THEY WANT IT, WHICH I HOPE THEY WILL. PROVIDE
THEM W/A GOOD LIVING NOW. HAVE A GOOD JOB, I
DON’T WORK IN A LABOR JOB, WORK IN AN OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT. WHICH HELPS ME A LOT. BUT UH REALLY
IT JUST HELPS YOUR CONFIDENCE TO KNOW YOU CAN GO
OUT THERE AND GET THAT DEGREE AND YOU GOT
SOMETHING YOU CAN SHOW THE WORLD AND SAY,
LOOK, I DID THIS. AND I DID IT WELL. AND IT DOES HELP
YOUR CONFIDENCE. // 4265111 THE ONLY PERSON THAT
CAN STOP YOU IS YOU.
SHARLENE
5013625 IF I NEED HELP I’LL ASK FOR IT. IF YOU
NEED HELP, ASK ME FOR IT. I’LL HELP YOU. IF YOU
DON’T ASK, NOBODY CAN HELP YOU. NOBODY KNOWS
WHAT YOU NEED. // 5022914 WHEN YOU ASK SOMEONE
FOR HELP, YOU’RE NOT LOSING YOUR INDEPENDENCE.
YOU’RE JUST GETTING ANOTHER OPINION.
SHARLENE
5023806 EVEN FR A GROUPL LIKE FAMILIES FIRST.
THEY’LL GIVE YOU DIFF CHOICES. AND YOU CHOOSE.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, OR GET YOUR
GED, OR IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE SOME IMMEDIATE JOB
TRAINING, THEY GIVE YOU THE CHOICES AND YOU GET
TO CHOOSE. BUT IT’S NOT UH YOU HAVE TO DO THIS.
THIS ONE PARTICULAR THING. YOU HAVE CHOICES.
SHARLENE
4284025 I’M GLAD I’M HERE. BUT THREE YRS AGO I
NEVER WOULD’VE THOUGHT—NO, A WEEK BEFORE THE
PLANT SHUT DOWN, I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE HERE IN
THREE YRS. // 4285926 I THOUGHT I WOULD BE MARRIED
FOREVER. AND RAISE MY CHILDREN. AND IT DOESN’T
ALWAYS WORK OUT THAT WAY.
SHARLENE
5060902 // IF IHAD GONE TO WORK AT MCDONALDS
THEY COULD’VE HAD EXTRAS. BUT HOW WOULD THEY
GET TO COLLEGE. SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THE LONG RUN
AND THEY’RE GOING TO BE BETTER OFF BECOZ I
THOUGHT ABOUT THE LONG RUN.
DIP to BLACK and
FADE UP on TRACEY’S AND KEITH’S STORY:
TRACEY
When God created us, He created us to fulfill many things…
ADD TEXT to SCREEN: KEITH
AND TRACEY MILLBROOK
A Righteous Walk
DISSOLVE to
TRACEY
1215015 // WE WEREN’T MAKING IT ANY BETTER FOR
OURSELVES BECOZ WE WERE THE STEREOTYPE. YOU
KNOW? WE ALLOWED OURSELVES TO BE STEREOTYPED,
TO FALL INTO ALL THE STEREOTYPES!
KEITH
WE WON’T BLAME IT ON SOCIETY. WE ALLOWED
SOCIETY TO TEAR US
DOWN.
TRACEY
WE WERE BEING BEAT DOWN AND OUR CHILDREN
WERE SUFFERING FR IT. AND SO FROM THE MOMENT
WE GOT TOGETHER, WE HAD DREAMS. // AND WE
BEGAN TO TALK ABOUT THE DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS
WE HAVE FOR OUR LIVES, IF WE HAD NOT TOOK THE
ROUTES THAT WE HAD TAKEN, OR THE THINGS THAT
WE WOULD LIKE FOR OUR CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE.
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN. WE TRIED
WORKING, WE TRIED THIS AND IT DIDN’T WORK. AND
WE HAD TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE LEFT OFF, BEFORE
WE HAD CHILDREN—
THAT’S RIGHT, WE COULDN’T MAKE THAT STEP
FORWARD UNTIL WE WENT BACK TO WHERE WE LEFT
OFF AT…THAT’S QUITTING HIGH SCHOOL.
TRACEY
1233522 // I MEAN, THE TIME OR THE PROCESS, OR HOW
LONG IT WOULD TAKE—THAT WASN’T AN OPTION.
BECOZ THE CHILDREN WERE MORE IMPORTANT.
TRACEY
1010608 I WAS WORKING A JOB AT A FACTORY WHERE
WE PRODUCED CRUTCHES, ASSEMBLED CRUTCHES. I
WAS AN ASSEMBLER. AND I WAS MAKING 800 SETS OF
CRUTCHES A DAY. SOMETIMES WORK 10 TO 12 HRS A
DAY. AND MY CHECK AT THE END OF THE WEEK WOULD
BE MAYBE A LITTLE OVER 200 DOLLARS. AND I WOULD
BE SO TIRED, UNTIL MY HOUSEWORK WAS BEHIND, THE
CHILDREN WAS ALWAYS NEEDING SOMETHING.
TRACEY
1025117 MY HUSBAND // HE TOOK A ROOFING JOB. AND
PART TIME ON THE SIDE HE’D DO ANYTHING TO HELP
MAKE ENDS MEET. AND HE STOPPED AND SAID I CAN’T
DO THIS ANYMORE. AND WE WENT INTO THE SYSTEM
AND GOT ASSISTANCE—
KEITH
1044311 AND THE GUY SAID, LOOK, WE HAVE A PROGRAM
NOW YOU JUST CAN’T LAY AROUND ON WELFARE ALL
YOUR LIFE. YOU HAVE GO TO SCHOOL OR GET A JOB IN
THE WORKFORCE WE CHOOSE FOR Y’ALL TO CONTINUE
TO GET THIS WELFARE ASSISTANCE. SO I DECIDED WE
WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, COZ WE DIDN’T WANT TO GO
BACK ON THE ROOF OR BACK INTO THESE WAREHOUSES,
WHATEVER. SHE OPPOSED TO GOING TO SCHOOL.
REALLY DIDN’T WANT TO GO IN THE BEGINNING.
TRACEY
1051300 THAT’S BECOZ UH YRS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO
GO BACK TO SCHOOL YEARS EARLIER THERE WAS
VERY LITTLE HELP AVAILABLE. AND SOMETIMES YOU
CAN KNOCK UP AGAINST A WALL UNTIL YOU SAY, WELL
I GIVE UP. AND SO MY DRIVE FOR THAT AT THAT
PARTICULAR TIME WAS GONE. BUT MY HUSBAND WHEN HE
TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND PROCEEDED W/THE GED COURSE,
AND HE WAS COMING BACK EXCITED. AND IT WAS LIKE
WHEN EDUCATION SHINE A LIGHT ON THINGS, AND HIS EYES
WERE BRIGHT AND HE WAS TELLING ME THE THINGS HE WAS
LEARNING, AND IT WASN’T LIKE HE WAS GOING TO SCHOOL
FOR THE SYSTEM THIS TIME, HE WAS REALLY ENJOYING IT.
KEITH
FOR MYSELF.