I'm a 53 year-old female, mother of 3 grown children and grandmother to two new grandsons. Born in Paterson in 1956, where I lived for most of my life, I had married three times, and am currently separated from husband number three. I moved to Monmouth County in 1997.
I was an Emergency Medical Technician for 19 years. Seventeen of those nineteen years was spent going to various neurologists for treatment of migraine due to injuries sustained while working, when our ambulance was hit and rolled while responding to the emergency room with a critical patient onboard. I have been on opiates for 17 years, my tolerance level was so high that strong medications were like taking baby aspirin. After I left my husband in 2008 I moved in with the friend of a friend, renting the back portion of her home. I found out she had been a heroin addict. My medication started to run out fast, and I knew she was taking them....but I couldn't get refills because controlled substances are just that--controlled. Withdrawal from opiates is a horrible feeling, and that's when she offered me heroin...
In short, I lost my job, became addicted to heroin, stole from her and went to jail for four months. Jail enabled me to get "clean"...but now, with a felony I cannot find a job. I still have my EMT certification but nobody will hire an EMT with a criminal record. I opted to pay restitution for what I stole, but without I job I cannot do the right thing.
I am back in college, online, but am not sure the financial aid will be approved. I am trying to better my life, but it seems that, every turn I makes turns into a dead end. I feel like a loser, with the situation spiraling downward and that scares me.
All I need is a chance. If nobody will hire me...well.....hopefully you see my point.
Thanks for letting me bend your ears...
Susan
