Literacy is very important.  Being able to read and write is a way of life.  We cannot function without it.  You would be surprised at the number of people here in Springfield that can’t read or write, young and not so young.  I stand here today to inform many like myself that you don’t have to be ashamed because you may not be able to read as well as others or cannot read or write at all.  Through various literacy programs you have a choice, make the right decision.  My obstacles wee algebra and geometry, but I overcame them by studying and receiving encouragement from my instructors and family.  So, today I no longer use the work “can’t” because of my God given abilities and the people that he has placed in my life.  I entered Lawrence Education Center here in Springfield, Illinois, in August of 2004, because I dropped out of Southeast High School in the 12tgh grade.  I made a bad decision to get married because I had a child.  I was 19 years old, with a husband and an infant trying to attend school.  This was a formula for disaster.  Every morning waking up, bathing a child, dressing a child, and feeding my child, then driving across town to the sitters was very frustrating.  Often I was late for class, which frustrated me even more.  This is when I made the decision to drop out.  Of course, I had great intentions of going back, but instead I got a job to help support my family.  If this wasn’t enough, the bad marriage that I was in ended after three months. All of this took place in the 1970’s.  In the 1980’s, I still had the same retail sales job, but I had worked my way to managing my own department.  This a good job for the education that I had, but was not what I really wanted to do.  When you are not satisfied with what you are doing, often you look for other things to get you through.  I made a bad decision to try cocaine.  It went from trying cocaine to freebasing.  This is when my world went from a bad life to a worse life.  In other words, it was hell on earth.  This drug told me that it was okay for my two children to raise themselves.  It was okay not to have a job and to depend on public assistance.  Before I knew anything, seventeen years of my life had passed by without me even knowing it. 

On March 7, 2003, I was 49 years old when I entered rehab.  I was tired of living the way I was.  I was just existing.  I knew there was a better way because I believe in God.  I made a promise to GOD that if he took this addiction away from me, O would serve him the best of my ability the rest of my days.  All during rehab I learned to set goals for me again.  Goal #1: Stay free of drugs. Goal #2: Go back to school.  Goal #3: Get a job.

When I started Lawrence Education Center’s GED program, I read at a 9th level, I struggled with Math and Language Arts.  The more I studied, the better I got.  The very first time I took the GED test, I passed everything except the Language Arts and Math.  I took the test a second time and passed Language Arts, but failed Math.  As I mentioned earlier, I struggled with Math.  This was my hill that I needed to climb.  I didn’t know that I would have to climb it seven times before I was able to get on the other side.  This climb brought tears to my eyes, and it made me want to give up.  The spirit inside me would not allow me to quit or to give up.  God did not bring me this far to leave me.  My faith got stronger in Him, and He granted my prayers.  On December 12, 2007, I received my General Education Certificate.  I don’t have words to explain how happy I was, but the one work that came out my mouth was, “Hallelujah!”

After hearing my life story, you may ask how getting a GED has affected my life.  It has shown my children and grandchildren that you can do anything that you set your mind to.  I’m able to help my grandchildren with their homework with confidence.  I can attend college.  Better jobs are available to me.  And confidence has allowed me to believe in myself again. 

- Hattie Clay

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