Michael Aders
April 03, 2020
ABE student Michael Aders
My story has come from many years of failing. I have had many obstacles – being thrown in jail and going to prison, my baby girl being placed in child services. I have fought drug addiction since I was thirteen years old. My dad died from a drug overdose. Many of my family died when I was a young age. It took a lot out of me.
Being placed in jail this last time was a big eye-opener. Adult education being inside the facility as well as Alcoholics Anonymous helped guide me into recovery. Constantly getting letters from lawyers, driver’s license being suspended, termination of parental rights, 3.5 years of Department of Corrections, all were heart-breaking, but I did not let it stop me. It made me push harder to be a better man.
Math was probably the greatest obstacle that I overcame through adult education. It was my lowest grade on my GED (HSE) but I did it. Being timed caused a lot of anxiety going on, and my mind was racing, but I pulled it off. I put most of my time into math and learned to enjoy it. Keeping my mind focused on math was difficult when all I could think of was my little girl.
Adult Education helped me by giving me the confidence that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I didn’t let it stop me there. During the rest of my time, I continued to find ways to better myself. Through many other programs offered to me along the way, I accomplished more in my life being locked up than I did the rest of my life.
The moment I was the proudest is when I got my diploma. Despite the actions I did to get thrown in jail, people were still acknowledging the fact that I was trying to better myself. It’s not easy to let the past slide and overlook what people have done, but patience and trust helps a person overcome. I have completed and have nearly ten certificates for numerous faith-based classes, nurturing fathers, anger management, money management, and marriage (if the time ever comes). I completed Celebrate Recovery and so many more.
When I got out of prison, I put it all to work. I won guardianship from the state for my little girl, I am going on four years sober from my drug abuse, and I completed parole successfully. The Evansville parole district asked me to be a success story for them as well.
My story isn’t over yet. I have come a long way. I am getting my driver’s license back, I am paying my debt to society and I am paying the debt I incurred through so many years of neglecting myself. My future is bright. I am a floater at Kimball’s International Upholstering. I am hoping to be debt-free within a couple of years. And I want to give my daughter the best life she can have. April 3 is my birthday, and April 3 is the day I brought her home to stay. Life is great, and thank you to Perry County Adult Education and the Perry County Sheriff’s Department for allowing such people into your facility to help me recover.
Michael’s teacher, Rebecca Miller, shared, “Michael was a great student while he was incarcerated – he had nearly, if not perfect, attendance in class and also was one of the few who actually worked outside of class. While I do not have any exact statistics, from working with the incarcerated population, I know that it is a huge achievement to successfully complete parole, stay clean, regain custody of a child from DSS, live independently in one’s own house, navigate the DMV to get a license, buy a car, and maintain employment. When Michael was released from prison, he sent me a Facebook friend request, so I have been following these accomplishments.”
Wow, Michael!!! What a SUCCESS story! On behalf of Vincennes University Adult Education, WELL DONE!