A gentleman from Texas reached out to me. He’s been following my advocacy for the disabled.
A few years ago, I worked at an office while I was putting myself through college. I took advantage of online classes and was able to get my Bachelor’s degree. I found out quickly that a degree doesn’t move the needle much when you are not in your 20s. I was always under the impression that a degree would open a door but that’s only partially true. A degree can help but it’s not a guarantee. I found this out when right before I graduated, the office I worked in had a turnover in management and myself and several others were terminated. The state I live in gives employers the right to fire at will without reason. So long as they give a legitimate reason - they can let you go. I was out of a job.
I spent several months sending out resumes and nothing. It didn’t matter that I had a college degree - no one was looking for someone with a new college degree that should already have several years experience. I thought I had spent the past several years and debt for nothing.
I met a lady who had called a friend of mine that requested we have lunch. I thought she was offering me a job. All she did was ask me questions like; If you encountered someone with a mental illness how would you react with them. How would you interact with someone that lost their jobs because they physically wasn’t able to return? How would you treat them at the lowest level of their lives? I thought I was answering questions - but later in the conversation she informed me that the attorney she worked for would not be taking anymore disability clients. I asked her what that had to do with me. She said, “you’d be perfect.” I’m not an attorney. She said - It doesn’t matter. Your heart is in the right place.
That moment began a career for me that I would never have went out searching for. I was already between music gigs, let go from a job, and had absolutely no direction. Helping others in their worst moment seemed to distract me of my own failures. One problem - I knew nothing.
For several years the only money I had in my pocket came from gigs. It was like going to College all over again. Ultimately, I found my niche and took an exam authorized to allow me to advocate for disabled individuals before Administrative Law Judges and be paid as if I were an attorney.
The gentleman that called me has been following me for some time. He began to ask all these questions. Then, he asked the question that has blown my mind. When are you going to law school? I hadn’t planned on it. Well, when?
A few years back I was asked to stay after a hearing. The Judge asked me to stay and everyone else to leave. This usually means you are about to be taken to the woodshed. This time, to the contrary. He wanted to encourage me to go to law school. So, this phone call and the question was like that day all over again.
I told the attorney on the phone the same as what I told the Judge. That’s 3 years and 250k dollars I don’t have. The attorney on the phone said - fair point. Could I offer you another viewpoint?
What he said next has caused me nonstop consideration.
To be continued
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