I will become Dr. David A. Douglas

The journey to the message I received yesterday telling me I have made it through my chair and committee members on my quest to earn a doctoral degree has been years in the making.  Literally, in many ways, years and years. The work is done.  Now on to school and dean approval.  Within the next 30-45 days my degree will be conferred.

I wept when I read the message. Tears of joy and sadness in many ways. Tears of joy that I am done with the hundreds of iterations of my final document.  Tears of sadness that my mom isn't here to experience this time with me. Tears of joy that I get to relish in the joy of knowing I didn't succumb to quitting the many times along the way where I said just that, I am quitting.  I just kept trudging ahead....through the edits, changes, and waiting, oh the waiting. I remember being in the military and the "hurry up and wait" we always went through.  This process brought that waiting to a whole other level.

Immediately following the tears I thanked my love. She has been through this entire process with me. In fact, she has been through not only the doctoral years, but stood solidly by my side during my Master's work. She never once faltered in her belief in me. I would not be enjoying this moment of success without her love and support.

I than made calls, many, and sent several messages to all the people who have been right by my side. This process, while at many junctures along the way has felt super lonely, has never been one where I haven't been able to call someone and they readily have said what can I do to help. This achievement is not mine alone, it is a shared achievement. I have likely a hundred people who have helped me through this entire process.

Students!  I immediately thought of students who have followed my journey.  I have been open with them throughout about what I have been doing. Sharing the good spots and the not so good spots along the way. I have asked my own students to hold me accountable. I have shared with students each quarter what my goals are for that quarter so I can show them they are not alone in the educational process.  I am so excited to share with them the news.   Everything I do on campus and in the community is to help young people.

Not bad for a kid from the streets of Tacoma eh?   When I look back I don't remember any specific person who said I wouldn't amount to anything.   In fact, I think of a math teacher, Mr. Burmeister, who I had at Stewart Jr High in Tacoma.  He believed in me.   I think of Johnny Revell, my dad who adopted me, he showed a positive vested interest in my well being.   Yet, due to other trauma experienced in my childhood I went off the deep end for awhile.   If we were to look at my life in my teens and 20's the statistics would easily say I would either be dead or serving a lengthy prison sentence.  Easily. I have seen emergency rooms due to drug and alcohol use, jail cells due to crimes committed while in active addiction, and had a trip to a mental health facility and multiple first responders in my home to check on my welfare.  I have had those experiences and many more that would have said there was no way in hell I would be writing this today.

But, here I am writing it.  I am achieving success at this juncture afforded to a select few. Why?  Because of access to support systems during active addiction and continued access to support systems in recovery.  Access to health care, mental health counseling, job opportunities, housing, and educational opportunities.  I am where I am at today in life because I have educated myself on the multiple ways one can support themselves in recovery from a substance use disorder.  I have been active in doing what I need to do to dig out of the massive hole I was in years ago.  I have built a foundation a top that hole with many layers of protective factors so I will never have to dig that hole again.

My goal now is to continue to do all I can to help others achieve the same success I have.  See, the reality is this; I am no one special.  Yes, I am intelligent, willing, and keenly aware of what is needed to get ahead.  But all of that has been learned.  I want others to learn the same and I will do everything in my power to teach this same skill set to others.

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