I am truly a miracle in progress. My struggles with alcohol and drug addiction nearly destroyed my life. The events of this destructive lifestyle started while I was in High School. I was the lead majorette and very popular. As any young curious teenager, I wanted to experience the party scene just as my fellow classmates. My world at that time consisted of drinking, drugging, and any other activities that brought on excitement. Throughout my trials and tribulations due to my poor choices, there were only two people who never gave up on me: My parents, James and Gladys Ross. My mother was my rock while my father was my savior. Both of my parents saw their little girl disintegrate into a world of pain chaos. As any noble parents, they tried their best to help me straighten up my act; however, I rebelled and fell deeper into insanity.
Upon entering into my twenties and thirties, I made numerous mistakes which nearly cost me to lose my life. I had been incarcerated more than once, and my health has started to deteriorated rapidly. On February 26, 1996, I was sentenced to two years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. By the grace of God, I only did five months. While I was incarcerated, I found out I was pregnant for the first time in my life. I was released from prison on July 26, 1996, and soon found myself drinking and drugging while carrying my unborn child. My belief was centered on my environment because I honestly believed that drinking while pregnant was acceptable. This is possibly the mind set of many women who are in denial about their addiction. Hannah Symone Ross was born on December 5, 1996, weighing in at 7 pounds and 11.4 ounces. From the moment she was born, my daughter went through hell. Her doctors and therapists were baffled by her developmental delays. It was soon confirmed that my daughter had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. With this devastating diagnosis, I still chose to continue to drink and drug and I was constantly in and out of jail for numerous illegal activities.
Out of sheer desperation, I cried out to God to help me and on September 12, 2005, I found serenity at a treatment facility called Caring Arms that focused on women who were HIV positive and struggling with issues pertaining to addiction. While at this wonderful safe haven, I had two incredible counselors who helped me get clean and sober, but also taught me how to live life on life’s terms. This program has been a blessing in disguise. When I achieved 3 months of sobriety, I enrolled at Houston Community College and became a star pupil. I graduated with honors and received an Associates of Arts degree on May 2, 2009. I am now currently attending the University of Houston Clear Lake campus, and my primary goal is to receive my Bachelor’s degree in the Social Work field with a specific focus on Drug and Alcohol abuse and prevention counseling in HIV/AIDS.
As of July 21, 2010, I am proud to say that I have been clean and sober for over 4 ½ years and my new life is a true example of what God can do when you simply surrender all. In closing, I can truly say without a shadow of doubt, I am a miracle in progress and I vow to continue to be a raising star and help those who cannot help themselves.
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