Jack Terry’s story is a heart-wrenching and emotional story that has moved me. His story gives me hope and passion to continue despite adversity. He makes me believe that I can achieve my dreams if I work hard enough and go for every opportunity that presents itself to me. It inspires me to work harder for my dreams and for the betterment of those I want to help. As a young kid, my parents went through a divorce due to my father’s alcoholism and drug abuse. I was not allowed to be around him much due to this fact and he would usually be off in rehab or doing his own thing. Throughout my early childhood, I would go with my grandparents; my father’s parents, instead of going with him. As a child, I barely had any grasp of the situation and I was kept in the dark about his condition under the claim of protecting me. My relationship with my father was impacted by his disease and I remember not understanding his ankle monitor or why I couldn’t see him in jail. I went to AA meetings with my dad starting around 8 or 9 years old and quickly gained sympathy for those in the meetings. Since that moment, I have wanted to help people and push them in the right direction. I have overcome this through hard work and perseverance. I push myself with the hopes of helping people like my dad and am going to pursue psychology to learn how to help others with similar diseases. For quite a while, it was just my mom and I. Since I can remember, we have always struggled financially. Being on food stamps, free school lunches for years, and both my mom and current stepdad working several jobs at a time to keep up with bills and food. Growing up, I was always envious of the kids around me who had money because they could live as kids, not worrying about whether they could afford groceries for the week or not. Even now, we struggle financially. My stepdad was let go from his job last year and forced to find a new one, this one having a major pay cut and forcing us to go back to our frugal lifestyle. I have overcome this through being a dedicated employee of my company. Being motivated and committed to my work, I have kept the same job for two-and-a-half years, it also being my first job. I have worked hard to get promotions and raise, helping my mother with payments and bills occasionally. I have worked hard enough to be offered a manager position at 17 years old through hard work and commitment. I want to start my career in psychology to help those struggling with addiction and mental health issues. I will become a dedicated and thoughtful substance abuse counselor and therapist for those who need it. I will give back to those who need it most, showing them another path that separates itself from addiction.