In 2021, I experienced one of my life’s most challenging yet strengthening periods. Despite my family currently maintaining financial and emotional stability, it has not been a guaranteed comfort. While my parents attempted to conceal most of these difficulties, they inevitably impacted me. Many years of struggling through financial, familial, and personal obstacles have contributed to the person I am today.
The impact of COVID-19 was devastating to my father’s business. Unfavorable economic conditions led to my family of four downsizing into a two-bedroom, one-bath home, with my parents residing in the living room. During this period, I transferred high schools, which further impacted my low spirits. We attempted to maintain optimistic; however, the dreary, cramped home began to weigh on us emotionally. My parents were now working twelve to sixteen hour-days to keep their small business afloat, leaving me responsible for maintaining our home.
Within months of us moving into our new home, my grandmother sustained an opioid-related physical injury. She had fallen victim to the opioid epidemic decades earlier, but with age, her body was unable to handle the continuous strain. My parents were both occupied, working tirelessly, so I took on a large caretaking role for my grandmother. I truly enjoyed spending time with her while she recovered; however, I was struggling with the overwhelming pressure of trying to tend to her, the house, work, my academics, and myself.
During my second semester at my new high school, I inevitably became burnt out. I continued with my previous responsibilities, but in a discouraged state. My exhaustion consequently led to me struggling academically, plummeting my confidence. That summer, my parents suggested receiving my high school diploma through Richmond Community College. The Adult Education Program would allow me to finish my courses at my own pace, so I could continue tending to my responsibilities. The Adult Education Coordinator, someone I now consider one of my greatest mentors, suggested that I pursue getting my GED. I was hesitant about this suggestion as first, but now I view it as one of my greatest decisions. I was not only determined to pass my GED, but to excel. Graduating with the same knowledge of a traditional high school graduate was important to me, so I studied excessively for months and graduated the next spring. On the night of my graduation, my grandmother passed away from an opioid-related stroke.
After graduating, I enrolled at Richmond Community College again to receive my Associate’s in Art. A month later, my mom sustained an injury to her back. Once again, I was responsible for the role of caretaking and maintaining a household. My self-esteem and motivation was much higher than it previously was. While I did occasionally struggle, I persevered during this difficult time and prioritized my academics and well-being, even through exhaustive days.
The psychological obstacles I encountered during these years were taxing, however, I am now profoundly grateful for the experiences and the growth they provided me. I can confidently say that I am a hard-working, driven individual with the ability to multitask, manage, prioritize, and support myself and others. My hindrances do not define me, but my resilience and gained knowledge does.
This story that I’m sharing is one I wrote eleven months ago while applying to college. I’m now typing this from my apartment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the last year, I have continued to encounter life-changing opportunities, meet wonderful people, access resources from those who are invested in my education, and work through life’s struggles with resilience. I’m now a Media and Journalism major at the Hussman School of Journalism, where I continue to receive support from amazing individuals surrounding me; however, this journey wouldn’t have been possible without the initial support from Richmond Community College.