National Adult Literacy Database

April 2, 2001

This week, we are posting a mother and a daughter's stories, from Prince George, British Columbia - Journey of a Mother & Daughter. There are two parts to each of their touching stories. Read on...

Shannon is 49 years old, a single mother who is currently enrolled in the Social Workers Program working towards her B.S.W. It had been 28 years since she graduated from high school and she was proud when she was able to return to school and be successful. She has always enjoyed reading and tries to spend some time each day reading with her 12-year old daughter.

A Mother's Past

by Shannon

My name is Shannon and I am a 49-year-old recovering addict living in Prince George, British Columbia. For 46 years I struggled with poverty, abuse, addiction, unemployment and low self-esteem. My life was a vicious cycle and I felt many times there was no way of escaping the drugs and the self-destruction. I'd never thought of suicide, but I always knew I wanted something different - but I didn't know how to get it.

Twelve years ago God gave me a miracle when I gave birth to my daughter Tepanga. When I first held her in my arms I promised her she wouldn't go through the pain I had suffered. But sometimes as parents we cause the most pain.

My daughter was taken away by the authorities when she was six years old. It hurts me deeply to recall the times she would call me crying telling me she wanted to come home. All I had to do was go into treatment, but I was so frightened at the thought of it that I could not follow through until a year later. I knew my daughter was safe, but I was so hooked into the drugs that nothing else mattered at that time.