When I moved to Wenatchee, WA in 1984:

There was no shelter for battered and homeless women and children. The only shelter was for men. Wenatchee had the highest school dropout rate in the state. The teen pregnancy rate was 21%, one of the highest in the state.

1. As a volunteer, I co-founded the Women's Resource Center to provide shelter, housing and services for homeless women and children. Now a United Way Agency, the Women's Resource Center houses over 1,000 low income and homeless people.

2. As a volunteer, I co-founded an alternative school with child care and parenting classes. Now part of the Wenatchee School District, Westside High School graduated over 1,000 students in the last 10 years.

3. With a state grant, I directed a program to reduce the high teen pregnancy rate. We encouraged teen parents to return to school. I found scholarships to send them to college.

One of the best things I did was recruit and train 48 volunteer mothers. These mothers paired one-on-one with teen parents. They kept an eye on the baby, took the mother and baby to doctor appointments, and taught parenting skills. Encouraged the girls to return to school.

The teen pregnancy rate decreased from 21% in 1984 to 6% in 2000. The program continues today with different funding.

After giving up 20 years of my life to Scotch...I just stopped. No AA...I just decided to live and not die...10 years ago

Surviving my 20's.

Becoming proficient enough at 6+ instruments and working up the nerve to perform them live and sing on stage. Especially considering the voice and anxiety problems I had as a child. I had every speech problem you can think of. I was tongue tied and had a stutter out of anxiety from a violent father probably, but also literally tongue tied in that the flap under the tongue was connecting too far forward, not allowing enough articulation. I had a dental surgery where that part was clipped back a bit, and later learned how to rap along with Eminem, Snoop and Dre to straighten out much of my impediment.

I also had asthma, and nodules on my vocal cords, making my voice incredibly low and hoarse at about 9 or 10, and refused to have corrective surgery to have them removed. My pastor tried to talk me into it, as he had it done himself but I thought “your voice still sounds pretty strained n hoarse mafacka I’ll take my chances” and by the time I went through puberty they self corrected and gave me a singing voice that I’m quite proud of. I still had poor control over it but I kept recording myself and listening back until I could hear myself rather realistically the way others do. And In high school I would jam with friends and they’d compliment my singing so I began doing it in front of people more and more until I was fronting a 9 man funk band in college.

All those physical problems in addition to severe anxiety and fear of attention brought on by my shithead dad and a traumatic preschool experience I remembered relatively recently, all made it insanely unlikely Id be a vocalist or performer at all. I couldn’t stand in front of 20 classmates in 6th grade and give an oral book report without hyperventilating and having a panic attack. I still suck at speaking to a crowd, don’t have much stage charisma or know what to say between songs exactly, but Im comfortable enough to keep it simple and get to business. I don’t come anywhere close to being that rattled anymore, and when I’m lost in music, I’m confident and killing it.

Going back to college at age 31, graduating at 34, and achieving my lifetime goal of becoming a high school math teacher. I got to be exactly the kind of teacher I always wanted to be.

Not throat-punching anyone...?

After my son and his then-girlfriend left our Louisville, Kentucky home, I decided to take the biggest risk of my life and pursue a long-cherished dream. I had traveled a ton in Oregon and Washington state, and visioned living there. And so, I sold my house, gave away or sold everything in it that wouldn't fit in an SUV, and drove cross-country to Bellingham, Washington (five 7-hour travel days with my pup, Cody), and made my dream come true. It was a risk, a gamble - and hasn't always been easy. But I love my adopted home, and I am deeply proud of myself. I love who I am, where I am.

Not killing my kids as toddlers (toddlers are pure evil)

Stayin' Alive.

That I am still here!!!!!!!

I'm proud of my 21 year nursing career... took care of people, saved a few lives, gave hope, and managed to share smiles and laughter with so many.

So many patients throughout the years gave me hope and love... and made me realize how precious life and time is.

I gave most of my working years to nursing and decided to finally change my career at 41 years old... I went back to college and now work as a medical coder.

As long as my daughter trusts me and looks to me for guidance, I’ll know I’m a success.

Getting two degrees and the dream job I set out to get when I started my masters program. Working in academics, there's always pressure to get a PhD, but I think I'm doing pretty damn good for a first generation college student. I'll see if my future kid wants a PhD...I'm happy with what I've accomplished.

The birth of my daughter was the most magic moment in my life. Then to think she is the gift that keeps giving for the rest of my life.

Surviving trigeminal neuralgia. There was a period of time where death was almost preferable the pain. I wouldn't wish it on anyone (outside of the Trump Administration).

I've been through the things I've been through and haven't tried to kill myself. A college degree is something I count among my achievements, but that was easy. Continued desire to remain alive despite horrible trauma at the hands of others and a slew of every kind of abusive relationship imaginable is a war I fight and win every day.

When people in prison are asked to describe their upbringing, were they to describe mine, the interviewer would think "No wonder this guy is in a cell."

I am not in prison.

Surviving

Raising 3 responsible, smart, independent, beautiful daughters.

My body of artwork..I keep adding to it

Reading through the replies listed here , I am amazed at how many have agreed in some manner that simply staying alive , was their greatest accomplishment . I think both successfully raising kids and earning a higher level of education , may be close to sharing second place . So far , like many here , I've managed all three . We need to celebrate !

Keeping my children alive to adulthood was a bit of a challenge at times.

Surviving until now.

Singlehandedly raising two sons to become compassionate, emotionally strong, mostly happy, independent adults.

My career.