Hello Everyone. First off I would like to say thank you to everyone for taking the time to read my introduction. My name is kayla, 31 years old. originally from west palm beach Florida. I moved to North Carolina in March of 2022. I am the proud single mother of four handsome young boys ages 10, 9, 6, and 11 months. currently enrolled at southern new Hampshire University, majoring in psychology. Being enrolled at a university is more than just furthering my education. I picked psychology because my walk in life wasn't easy and to know that I can be that change to hel another improve thier life is a passionate fire that burns in my soul. No one is perfect in this world or the next. being honest and having integrity is the first step in reaching my academic and life goals. I sit here today with 7 years of sobriety, A clear mind and a second chance to change my life. I am more than just a mother, I am a warrior. Most recently I was released from state prison after doing 5 years. yes if you are doing the math, I had my third child incarcerated.You cant change the past ,But you can control your future and that's why I chose to take ownership of my life and enroll in school to achieve my dreams. My professional goal is to create a foundation called "incarcerated angels". Where I would be helping women with past addiction issues and getting released back to society after prison. My life experience will be the light at the end of the tunnel. This is my way of giving back to my community. Being that voice for those who can't speak. I want to show women that no matter how many times you fall you can always get back up, and you will succeed. I am living proof that your past can not define your future. Reaching my professional and life goals can only positively impact my children. By doing so I am showing my boys that nothing in life is a roadblock but a learning obstacle. Mostly, I want my boys to see that everyone deserves a second chance, and love and compassion go a long way. Renewing of my mind and soul didnt happen overnight. I am bless to be here with life in my eyes and motivation in my heart.

I will never forget that last phone call..... Seven years ago I made a few choices that ended me up with a 6 year prison sentence. During those 6 years my worst fear was loosing my grandmother. I was always praying "Lord please watch over her, please keep her here so i can spend time with her ". Through my years incarcerated my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. Then a few months later she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in the lining of her stomach. My world was crashing down around me. My grandmother was my number 1. She was always there from the time I can remember. The state placed me in her custody after they took me from my drug addicted parents when I was just 6 years old. Growing up my granny gave me a solid foundation and so much love but I was an angry child because I didn't understand why my parents weren't around. I was always in and out of trouble and my grandma always had my back. She never gave up on me. When my baby bother was born addicted to crack she was there to take him home with us. She worked a 9 -5 job and sometimes she was up all night with my baby bother due to his withdrawals . She IS my hero. She is my definition of a strong women. She showed me how to roll with the punches , that no bad situation stays that way as long as you keep pushing forward. She showed me that family is everything. During my time incarcerated I spoke to her everyday, every holiday I sent her a card. The dementia was there you can hear it in her voice. She knew me but never remembered where I was or for how long. I would hold back tears while talking with her. All I wanted to do was climb up in her chair and have her read me a book like when I was a little girl. One day I called her and my aunt picked up the phone. She went on to tell me that my grandma was moving in with her because her health was declining. But still I called everyday to tell my granny that I love her. By this point she wasn't able to talk because she suffered a small stroke. So I would just speak to her and she would listen. I was down to 14 months left before I would be getting released from prison. July 16th 2019, I called home that night to tell my grandma good night and my aunt told me that she was getting worse and she might not make it through the night. She held the phone to my grandmother's ear so I can tell her my goodbye. I told her thank you for always loving me even when I wasn't worth loving. (I'm crying now) I hung up the phone that night knowing she wasn't gonna be there the next time I called. Three days later my worst nightmare came true, she passed away at home surrounded by family. I beat myself up everyday for not being there. Till this day I have still not grieved over my grandmother's death. For weeks I didn't eat, I couldn't sleep. My mind races in 20 different directions. My grandmother is my core strength to do better for myself because that is what she would want. She always told me I don't wanna work at burger king my whole life and be known as the fry queen. Lol. So I got my mind right, that last year in prison I got my GED. I made a five year goal oriented plan from the time I got release. Here I am almost 2 years after being released. I will be a first generation college student. My life plan is to help women and men fighting addiction so they never have to miss out on saying there last goodbye to someone they deeply care about. My grandmother is all the motivation I need to keep going forward in life. Out of all the trouble I put her through growing up, I owe it to her to become something great . To give back and to help those who need that hand. I know she is in heaven smiling down on me. Like girl you finally got it♥️ it took me 24 years grandma but I made it. Barbara j. Burns ( granny) is my reason to fight for life, love and true happiness.

Recovery is not just a word to me, it's my life. I am a third generation recovering addict who is determined to break the chain of addiction. Not just for myself or the future of my children. But for all who fight addiction. Recovery means to love with no judgement . To be a light for those still wondering in the dark . All I have is my experience to carry me into the next chapter. Recovery means to push even when you think you can't.Growing up I despised my mother , At the time I didn't understand what it was to have an addiction. Not until I was introduced to cocaine. For years I made terrible choices that still effect me 14 years later. So I prayed one night " Lord please kill me or put me in jail".God heard those words that night. Three days later my prayers were answered. I was arrested for multiple crimes and sentenced to 6 years in state prison. From that day on I changed my thinking process from Im not to I AM. Recovery starts from within and where better to start then behind the prison wall.Through my recovery I gave my mother the strength and courage after 25 years of addiction to change her life. Our relationship has never been better. Recovery is a foundation of stability and a new chapter to a clean life. Recovery to me means to have my life back and to celebrate that life.