In 2009 I obtained 3 felonies. I used to say "2009 was my time to shine," in my sick mind. And shine I did, right behind those nice silver cuffs. But I learned something during the time I was there. I learned that there was a 12-step program and people just like me. These people came to visit in the jail, and for once I truly felt understood. And I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could get it right. I was transferred bed to bed to an inpatient facility in 2010 after my trials. And I was able to understand what recovery was. I didn't know I had a problem that could be fixed, I just thought I couldn't get it right. But I kept staying clean and things kept working in my favor, it was so amazing. Fast forward a little, with these felonies I couldn't even get a job at Sheetz or a "normal" job anywhere. But who needed those places anyway, when I could easily get a job in the recovery field even with my background in Maryland and West Virginia. If I didn't have that as an option, then what? What is there for someone to do? What would we tell our recoverees? The same population that we are helping? Sorry, you will never be able to be licensed in Virginia! Because that's what I would tell them, I would let them know there is hope and a system much more accepting than the state they currently reside in. I would tell them that they are loved and accepted in these states that have a well-developed Peer Support Program and have great salaries too. I would tell them that just because a state can't see past its past doesn't mean that all people and/or states are like this. It's upsetting that a state has developed these Courts/Dockets like Drug Court, Mental Health Docket, and Military Docket and we push people to be their best selves, and those best selves aren't seen when they apply for licensure. I have 12 years and I am eligible to have my felonies expunged in Maryland. But I don't because I have never needed to. They don't define who I am today. Today they tell a story of what I have overcome, and how different my thoughts, feelings, and actions used to be. I am grateful for my story and my past because they made me an awesome Peer Advocate and an awesome person in general. And that's the message I want to share with those with just one day in recovery, because if I didn't have the field... Then, What?