When I was young, my household consisted of my mother, my grandmother, and my uncle. I had no contact with my father. My mother took a passive role in my upbringing causing my grandmother to raise me primarily. I lost her to severe pneumonia when I was 10.在我小的時候，家庭是由媽媽、外婆和舅舅組成的。我沒有關于父親的任何音訊。主要是外婆帶我，母親在我的成長過程中所扮演的角色非常被動。（可惜）在我10歲的時候外婆就因患上急性肺炎去世了。

My mother tried to continue my grandmother’s efforts; although, began to fall short. She did not work and withdrew most days leaving me to my own actions/thoughts. My uncle, who was providing all financial support passed when I was 11 leaving my mother and myself with no financial support. 母親試圖接下外婆的角色（來帶我）然而好景不長。她不去工作，也不管我，大部分時間讓我想做什么就做什么。11歲以前我和母親生活，生活費都是舅舅出的，在我和母親分開以后，就再也沒有經濟支柱了。

With my mother’s withdrawal from life, little financial skills, and poor organization. I did not have food, clothes, or discipline. After an investigation by child services, I was placed in foster care. Upon returning to my mother’s care, I had lost hope of a "normal" life. 母親從我的生活淡出，而我也不具備任何掙錢的技能，收容機構的條件也很差，所以我吃不飽、穿不暖，也沒有約束。在兒童服務機構調查以后，我被加入了領養兒童名單。想到母親對我的“照顧”，我對于“正常”的生活也不抱什么希望了。

Prior to placement in foster care, I had volunteered at the local hospital to gain hospital experience, since I had wanted to be a doctor. After the foster home experience, I felt alone and destitute. I saw no hope of obtaining such a grand educational journey.在被領養之前，我在當地的一家醫院參加志愿者活動，累計了一些醫院服務的經驗，在那以后我想成為一名醫生。在領養家庭的生活讓我感覺到孤獨與貧困，想到要求學路的漫長和花銷，我感到非常的無望。

At the age of 20, my son was born and I began working long hours. I continued to work; although, had many ups and downs along the path. My mother passed away when I was 23 leaving me with no close family. 20歲那年我的兒子出生了，我開始延長工作時間。我一直不停地工作，其中也是波折不斷。23歲那年母親去世，除了我沒有什么親密的家人。

I struggled with the gap in my life and felt alone, but continued on and was married at the age of 24. My daughter was born and I promised myself to strive higher in life. I took a chance and applied for a better job, which would double my salary —I was accepted! 我感到人生的無常，感到孤獨。但是生活依然繼續24歲那年我結婚了，我的女兒出生了，我暗自許諾要過更好的生活。我抓住機會申請到了一個更好的工作，工資翻倍，而且被錄用了！

My life was again changed due to divorce and a lay-off at 27 years old. For my children, I decided to pursue college and my dream. Succeed or not, at least I tried. I began at the local community college and was then able to transfer to a 4-year college for a degree in Biology. I applied to 5 medical schools in the area to stay close to my children. I was accepted in 2006. 27歲那年我的人生又發生了轉折，我離婚還失業了。為了我的孩子，我決定去上學。不管成敗與否，最起碼我嘗試過。我開始在當地的社區大學學習然后才能轉入四年制的大學生物專業獲得學位。為了和我的孩子們離得近，我申請了5所醫學院。2006年我接到了入學通知。

I dedicated myself and did not let anything distract me from my goal. I am now a practicing physician and could not be happier. I did eventually become close to my father only to lose him a few months before my medical school graduation. I am close with my son, who is now 22 and my daughter, who will soon be 18.我全心投入來達到自己的目標，不想讓任何事情分心。現在我是一個職業醫師，心愿達成，感覺圓滿。在醫學院的畢業典禮之前的幾個月我的父親去世了，這是我第一次了解他。現在我和孩子關系很近，兒子已經22歲，女兒也快成人。

I continue to be inspired by those I meet who have gone through much worse than I and have achieved success. We can all obtain so much in our lives. I hope this story provides you hope. 那些與我相比更加經歷人世悲苦最終實現自我獲得成功的人的故事，總是能打動激勵我。生活教會我了我們這么多。如果我的故事也能給你帶去希望那便好。