A husband and father looking for a chance.

by Craig Dowd
(Apex, NC, USA)

I am a 41 year old black man. I have two kids, 12 and 17 years old. I have a lovey wife of 9 years now. She has been diagnosed with cancer.

The doctors have done all they can do for her at this point(surgery,chemo and radiation). Now they are giving her more chemo to keep her alive as long as they can. She is in the "final stages" of her life right now.

I got into some trouble in 1999 with some drugs and was convicted of felonies. I went to prison and served my time and I haven't been able to find a decent job since.

I don't mind working. As a matter of a fact, I'd rather work to keep myself busy, and it also makes me feel good as a man when I'm able to provide for my family. But all of the decent jobs I apply for deny me because of my record.

It seems foolish to me, because it was so long ago. But it looks like they are going to hold them incidents against me for the rest of my life. I really need to work a good job to support my family, and they need me now more than ever.

I was very young when all of this mess happened, and I've realized that I made a mistake. I even apologized to the judge, but he sent me away anyway.

I really need a great opportunity to get my life stable, but because of my record I can't.