Our life consists not only of joys, but also of difficulties. Some people deal with them easily, and for others it is a lifelong struggle. Like the story of Jeannie Barton. She teaches us that at any time you can change your life for the better.
The story of this woman was told by journalist Eric Johnson. He met Jeannie when he was studying the problem of homelessness, which was acute at that time in the United States.
Back then, Jeannie was working at a men’s shelter. “She had long hair and a haggard look,” Johnson recounted.
When they met again two years later, the woman shared the story of her childhood and adult life – she did not have an easy fate. The daughter of a drug-using mother and a father who dealt drugs. Already at the age of six the girl tried marijuana, and in adolescence her own mother gave her methamphetamine.
On the top of the drug problem Jeannie was raped at the age of 16, and attempted suicide after that. From the age of 17, the girl found herself in the dock, first for petty fraud and then for more serious crimes.
“I completely lost myself. For me, anyone could have been a victim, because I was constantly thinking about getting money for my addiction.”
“I was living on the streets, I smelled bad, because I couldn’t remember the last time I had showered. All I could think about was drugs.”
“Very often I thought about how I wish someone would just finish me off.”
Ginny had tried to stop more than once while in prison. After serving her sentence, she would get out and hang on for a while, but then start all over again. It was very difficult to get out of this vicious cycle.
This continued until she was arrested for the last time on December 5, 2012. The woman was driving a stolen truck. It was after that arrest that Jeannie was able to get into a drug treatment program, after treatment she was able to keep herself from having another breakdown.
The woman had a great desire to redraw the past and right her wrongs. For a long time, she dedicated herself to working in a social service after prison education program. It was this period of life that made Ginny realize that everything can still be changed, she had a desire to learn.
That’s how she got to college in Seattle and then went on to attend the University of Washington.
Ginny was 48 years old when she successfully graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Her face was clearer, premature wrinkles miraculously smoothed out. She looked better in her 48 years than she had in her younger years.
The woman then shared her thoughts on social media, “Everything can be changed if you are still breathing. If you want something, no matter what age you are, you can turn your life around.”
It’s impossible not to be inspired by this woman’s story, despite being at rock bottom, she managed to rise up and earn her place in society.
Do you think she deserves approval and respect? Share in the comments.
