Natha: Testifying to Make a Difference

Summary

The speaker shares their emotional journey of being repeatedly denied parole and the struggle to rebuild their life after decades of incarceration. Despite the trauma of childhood abuse and years of imprisonment, they sought personal growth through anger management, religious courses, and self-reflection. After being released, they faced daunting challenges including housing insecurity, health issues, and limited access to healthcare. The speaker urges young people to avoid the mistakes they made, advocating for self-love, resilience, and making better choices to avoid a life of hardship and incarceration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was denied parole multiple times, experiencing feelings of heartbreak and devastation.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the abuse they endured during childhood and how it influenced their life.
• 😀 Despite numerous challenges, the speaker pursued personal growth by taking various courses, including anger management and religious programs.
• 😀 It took the speaker 44 years to understand themselves and their past behavior.
• 😀 The speaker discovered Susan Burton’s program on the news, which inspired them to seek a better life and eventually join a new program.
• 😀 After overcoming several obstacles, including mobility issues, the speaker was able to join the program at 'New Way of Life'.
• 😀 The speaker describes feeling welcomed and supported upon joining the program, where they reconnected with old friends.
• 😀 One of the first positive experiences after joining the program was a trip to the beach, which helped the speaker reconnect with nature.
• 😀 Despite challenges, including financial struggles and limited housing options, the speaker is determined to stay at 'New Way of Life' due to their financial and medical limitations.
• 😀 The speaker shares the difficulties of navigating the healthcare system, particularly with Medicare, which does not cover all necessary medications and treatments.
• 😀 The speaker encourages young people to avoid the mistakes they made and to seek freedom, self-love, and positive change, highlighting that it is possible to overcome a difficult past and build a better future.

Q & A

How did the speaker feel about being repeatedly denied parole?

The speaker felt heartbroken and devastated, crying in disbelief over being denied parole 16 or 17 times, especially after enduring childhood abuse.

What efforts did the speaker make to better themselves before being granted parole?

The speaker took courses on anger management, facilitated programs like 'Breaking Barriers,' and engaged in 12-step programs to understand themselves and improve their behavior.

How long did it take the speaker to figure out who they were?

It took the speaker 44 years to figure out who they were and come to terms with their identity.

What triggered the speaker's decision to seek help at 'A New Way of Life' program?

While watching the news, the speaker saw Susan Burton's program and recognized a friend from prison who was involved. This inspired the speaker to reach out and express a desire to join the program.

What challenges did the speaker face right after their release from prison?

The speaker faced immense challenges, including having no money, living in a shared home with other women, and struggling with the affordability of housing and essential healthcare.

What specific difficulties did the speaker encounter with their healthcare?

The speaker struggled with insufficient Medicare coverage, leaving them without the necessary medications for their conditions like heart issues, high blood pressure, and PTSD.

How did the speaker feel when they first entered the 'A New Way of Life' program?

Upon entering the program, the speaker felt a sense of belonging and was welcomed by others, including old friends from prison, which provided a sense of hope and community.

What did the speaker experience on the day after they arrived at the program?

The day after arriving at 'A New Way of Life,' a staff member took the speaker to the beach to see the water and touch the sand, which was a moment of freedom and peace they had longed for.

What were some of the practical steps taken by the program to assist the speaker?

The program helped the speaker with paperwork to obtain essential documents like their Social Security card, ID, birth certificate, and access to general relief and food stamps.

What message does the speaker want to convey to younger people?

The speaker urges young people to avoid prison and negative influences, encouraging them to learn, grow, and be the best versions of themselves, emphasizing that God loves them.