In 1986, at the age of 18, Darcy fell 40 feet while employed by a tree trimming company. Three years later, he was discharged from rehabilitation, got an apartment and enrolled in a GED class at a community college. He passed his GED in June 1990 at the age of 24 and continued as a part time student at the community college. Ten years later, Darcy estimates that he is half the way to an associate degree in human services.

John is also physically disabled as a result of an auto accident that occurred when he was 16 years old. Individual tutoring at a wheelchair community enabled him to pass his GED test at the age of 20. In 1996, he entered a community college expecting to take at least one course a semester. He has exceeded his goal and will receive his associate degree in 2001 and then continue in multimedia and web design at an art institute.

Learning Differences

For participants who encountered physical problems prior to attending college, the road may be long but is buttressed by financial support from disability insurance. For other GED graduates who are determined to enter and complete college, there is little payment for fortitude. Both Florine and William who have learning difficulties work worked full time while attending college. William had the advantage of going to a high school that catered to learning differences. After graduating in 1984 at the age of 21, he enrolled in a literacy council to improve his reading and writing skills. One year later, he began correspondence courses and then enrolled in a community college. In 1995, he received an associate degree in applied science, hotel and restaurant management.

Florine whose parents deserted her when she was six weeks old was raised by her grandmother who earned $20 a week as a domestic. Poorly dressed, hungry, and unable to keep up with the other children in her grade, she did poorly in school and did not recognize her learning disability until much later in life. Pregnant at the age of 14, she left school in 1966 to marry her boyfriend. Twenty years later, remarried and the mother of five teenagers, Florine enrolled in GED classes and in 1987 earned her diploma. Hired by her adult center as a part time tutor and then as a full time teacher, she began taking courses at a community college intending to earn teacher certification. Twelve years later, she directs the center’s case management program which she developed. She is still taking college courses but switched her major to mental health and social services to accommodate her new responsibilities. Others might be discouraged, but Florine explains:

Coming from the background that I have with a learning disability, trying to be full time mother, a full time employee and go to school at the same time, it’s like juggling apples. I feel I’m very successful at what I’m doing.

Employment

Florine is not the only participant whose college experience was driven by the exigencies of their employment. In 1978 at the age of 23, Laurie enrolled in a GED program and within three months earned her GED. Her goal was to become a nurse and she

went to University for a year and took science and nursing courses, but I couldn’t finish. That was in some ways for the best, because I ended up in an altogether different field. I’m still doing that (nursing) part time, but I ended up doing business courses, automotive, mechanical courses. Believe it or not, I’d like to go back and take more courses… I guess my first wish would have to be to be able to go back to school full-time. I would love to, but I know that’s not feasible. Money is always a play.