:idea: Ok here goes. I started at the age of let's see 12 was the first time I went to jail. Shoplifting or some s--- my parents got me out with-in the hour. At age 14 I was prostituting myself in downtown Los Angeles when one of my Johns found out that instead of a sexy girl I was a sexy guy dressed like a girl he attacked me. I stabbed him in the juggler and he died :angry: because he had attacked me and I was a minor (My father working for the city was a help too) I was released on self defense I spent about 6 months in HOJJ (Los Angeles House of Justice Jail). Thought it was a joke. My mother died when I was 15 and I went on a rampage. My father decided that we should move to Oklahoma where I would strighten out my life. :D :D :D Boy was he ever wrong. I did just the opposite my second month there I went to jail for sleeping at a stop light I was high on valium. I got out a couple a months later and then got arrested shortly after for robbery and burglary I received a 14 year probation which two months later I violated by committing another robbery and burglary so at age 17 I was sentenced to 20 years. I did 8 years and was released I hung around and before long I was back in jail this time I caught a break I got a 5 year probation (Bumpus vs. The State of Oklahoma) walked some of it down and then got revoked and appealed. I bet the case read it it was a precedent case. Got out and moved to NY (Albany) got myself a job and was doing well thought that I needed to celebrate my sucess but being an addict I over did it I drank 2 5th's of E&J by myself and the next thing I know I am in a stolen car wrapped around a tree. Before crashing into the tree I ran into two police cars and you guessed it back to prison. This time I was determined that I would not go back to jail and I didn't it's been 5 years and counting and I have not been close to a jail. I am a full time student (I complete my BA in less than a year) and I have a job as a social worker. :thumbsup: Life after prison can be hard but for me it was extra hard cause I am not white enough to be white, I am not black enough to be black, I was not man enough to be a man, not women enough to be a women, I was a ex-con and ex drug addict, But I was determined that nothing would stop me from reaching my goals of being successful and not returing to prison. I worked hard and put up with lots of shit but I made it and I am so greatful to all the folks that had made it before me and kept encourging me to keep trying. Success is not easy but with hard work anything can be done. Any adversity can be over come. So work hard and keep away from people, places and things.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :D :cool: :cool:

You are living proof that anything is possible. Continue to live well and prosper. GOD BLESS YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS!!! I know it was a long journey.

What an awesome thread!
You have faced so many obstacles in your life and you overcame them.
You could of chosen to be bitter and angry but you didn't. You understood what you had to do to succeed and you went for it.

you have my respect!

hugs,

pw

Thanks

Congrats on your success :)

Thanks for sharing your story! Proof positive it can be done...Bless you!!

how did you get a job as a social worker? Did you need a degree or certifications or anything? My field has always been accounting but I want to do social work.

Congratulations... you should feel very proud, and I wish you continued success. your story goes to show that if you want to change your life, it may not always be easy, but it is possible.good luck to you & I wish you a bright future ahead!:)

Congrats! You are proof that anything is possible!

Peace and Blessings!

Congrats!! :D

:idea: Ok here goes. I started at the age of let's see 12 was the first time I went to jail. Shoplifting or some s--- my parents got me out with-in the hour. At age 14 I was prostituting myself in downtown Los Angeles when one of my Johns found out that instead of a sexy girl I was a sexy guy dressed like a girl he attacked me. I stabbed him in the juggler and he died :angry: because he had attacked me and I was a minor (My father working for the city was a help too) I was released on self defense I spent about 6 months in HOJJ (Los Angeles House of Justice Jail). Thought it was a joke. My mother died when I was 15 and I went on a rampage. My father decided that we should move to Oklahoma where I would strighten out my life. :D :D :D Boy was he ever wrong. I did just the opposite my second month there I went to jail for sleeping at a stop light I was high on valium. I got out a couple a months later and then got arrested shortly after for robbery and burglary I received a 14 year probation which two months later I violated by committing another robbery and burglary so at age 17 I was sentenced to 20 years. I did 8 years and was released I hung around and before long I was back in jail this time I caught a break I got a 5 year probation (Bumpus vs. The State of Oklahoma) walked some of it down and then got revoked and appealed. I bet the case read it it was a precedent case. Got out and moved to NY (Albany) got myself a job and was doing well thought that I needed to celebrate my sucess but being an addict I over did it I drank 2 5th's of E&J by myself and the next thing I know I am in a stolen car wrapped around a tree. Before crashing into the tree I ran into two police cars and you guessed it back to prison. This time I was determined that I would not go back to jail and I didn't it's been 5 years and counting and I have not been close to a jail. I am a full time student (I complete my BA in less than a year) and I have a job as a social worker. :thumbsup: Life after prison can be hard but for me it was extra hard cause I am not white enough to be white, I am not black enough to be black, I was not man enough to be a man, not women enough to be a women, I was a ex-con and ex drug addict, But I was determined that nothing would stop me from reaching my goals of being successful and not returing to prison. I worked hard and put up with lots of shit but I made it and I am so greatful to all the folks that had made it before me and kept encourging me to keep trying. Success is not easy but with hard work anything can be done. Any adversity can be over come. So work hard and keep away from people, places and things.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :D :cool: :cool:

Way to go:thumbsup:

You are an inspiration! Keep up the great work!

Nance

Congratulations Tranniegurl!!! Awesome success story. I am very proud of how you have turned your life around with all the road blocks you had in front of you!! Keep up the great job!! ok....now what's for dinner? LOL (Tranniegurl is always cooking when I pop into chat) :)

Wow. You are on my personal short list of heros/heroines, whichever you prefer or both.

this thread made me grin so big, my cheeks hurt!

I agree, I served 12 years in prison and have been out now for 4 years. It was tough, but I graduate from college next year with a degree in economics, I have a good job; I have been able to travel on parole (even out of the country). If you believe in yourself then people will believe in you. It is good to know that others are making it out here. It is hard, but it is better to be out than in. Take care.

Brian

That just let us know how God is so real in our lives that anything is possible threw him Brian and tranniegurl. May God keep you and May all of our hearts be open for a change. God Bless

its a wonder you are still alive. god has a purpose for you, and it sounds like you have found it. may god keep you strong and safe. good luck :thumbsup:

That is wicked awesome. All the stories are great. Thanks so much.