My name is Keristein Fisher. I am from the small town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. I am 29 years young, and I am a single parent to a crazy, strong willed 8-year-old little girl. I lost my mother when I was less than a month shy of turning 9 years old. My father was a drug addict that really wanted nothing to do with having the responsibility of having a child. I was raised by my grandparents who passed away in 2016 and 2017. I suppose you could say I had a rough start in life, but I choose to look at it as an experience for what my true purpose in life is. I started early in life experimenting with mood- and mind-altering substances. I had an overwhelming sense of not belonging. Shortly after I fell in with the wrong crowd and found myself in this endless cycle of addiction, it honestly did not matter what it was if it would help me not feel so empty, I would drink it or I would take it. I know what you are thinking I am being too open and honest about my shortcomings as not only a person, but as a mother as well. My addiction unfortunately followed me into adulthood. When I lost my grandparents, I lost not only the only unconditional love, but I lost a golden ticket through life. Suddenly here I was 23 years old spoiled and completely unprepared for how to live life on life's terms. I dove deeper into the only solution I could think that would cure my pain. I lost custody of my daughter and I wish I could tell you that was the end of my using right there. However, I chose the road that in these days and times are unfortunately more traveled. I spent 5 long years making the wrong decisions and led me down a path that I no longer regret but put me in some bad situations. Today I am 3 years into recovery, and I am not only surviving, but I am thriving. Within those 3 years I have not only obtained full custody of my daughter back, but I have also managed to be a full-time employee, pay my own bills, and start college as a full-time student. I spent so many years being bitter about the hand I was dealt. In May I decided I would no longer be a victim of my circumstances even if they were circumstances of my own creation. This pain that my addiction has caused me, as well as the pain that I have caused the ones that loved me has to have a purpose behind it. I have had this overwhelming feeling that everything I have gone through, and everything that I put myself through during this time was only the experience I would need to help others going through the same situations not only one side of the bachelor's degree I am pursuing, but both. I had to do a lot of self-searching to realize that my scars tell a story, and what helps inspire other parents to turn their lives around. I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree Criminal Justice with a concentration in human services at Colorado Technical University. I am confident in my ability to use my experience to show others the way out of darkness. I also have an interview with Big brothers and big sisters of America to start a chapter in my hometown to bring some real resources for the younger generation.