PS take two
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:31 pm
As I sit in the secluded office twiddling my thumbs, I feverishly go through old documents, editing them to match new formats. I took no time noticing the stacks of transmittals and messages needing answered and completed. It is 9:00 AM and my first shift without my supervisor was underway. The office, children, adults, judges, attorneys, and all of the innocent victims of the county were counting on me. Making a mistake was not an option; lives could be taken, homes could be lost, victims devastated once more. This was my responsibility. Before she left, my supervisor told stories, of the happenings when she leaves; the devastating crimes that take place and the horrors our victims encounter. Two hours in, the phone rings. With the sweat beading off my brow; my hands shaking, self-doubt filling my head, and my heart perceivably in my throat, I answer.
I began volunteering at the Monongalia County Victim Assistance Program during my junior year of college. It was a wonderful experience. I was able to interact with people from all walks of life. I gained valuable insight into the day to day proceedings of the criminal justice system. I was able to make a difference. When I answered the phone that day I spoke with a former sexual assault victim. He told me his life story; about how no one ever cared. How he was shunned by his family and made out to be the black sheep. How he constantly felt that he didn’t belong. All my life I had felt the same way. The transcription of the phone call was the most important thing I have ever written in my lifetime. This man was now able to charge his assaulter and obtain closure.
During my younger years I was troubled child. My family didn’t know what was wrong with me and they thought I didn’t respect authority. I was constantly told I was a disappointment and I was the black sheep. They didn’t know for some time I was ADHD; only needing extra time to play and express myself. I was always getting yelled at and told I was a bad child; even being physically thrown across the room and tossed outside to freeze in the cold West Virginia winter. Later on my brother became the troubled one as I excelled in school and athletics. He turned to drugs and a lifestyle filled with negative influences. During my sophomore year he was with his “friends” on the way back from a party and crashed his car. As a result of this accident he was in a coma for a week. The crushing pain my family and I experienced was debilitating. I didn’t want anyone to feel this pain. It led me to want to make a difference in the world. From being abused to my brother’s transgressions I was naturally inclined to apply with the Victim Assistance Program.
After my experience at this organization I no longer felt like a failure. I no longer disappointed anyone. I made myself and my boss proud. I brought pride to the office of Victim Assistants. Most importantly, I had given someone a voice. I accomplished my goal. I had made a positive difference in the world. This one change is not enough for me, however. I want to pursue a career where I can consistently change the world. My experience with this organization as well as subsequent conversations with judges, attorneys, and court staff has solidified my belief in becoming an attorney.
I began volunteering at the Monongalia County Victim Assistance Program during my junior year of college. It was a wonderful experience. I was able to interact with people from all walks of life. I gained valuable insight into the day to day proceedings of the criminal justice system. I was able to make a difference. When I answered the phone that day I spoke with a former sexual assault victim. He told me his life story; about how no one ever cared. How he was shunned by his family and made out to be the black sheep. How he constantly felt that he didn’t belong. All my life I had felt the same way. The transcription of the phone call was the most important thing I have ever written in my lifetime. This man was now able to charge his assaulter and obtain closure.
During my younger years I was troubled child. My family didn’t know what was wrong with me and they thought I didn’t respect authority. I was constantly told I was a disappointment and I was the black sheep. They didn’t know for some time I was ADHD; only needing extra time to play and express myself. I was always getting yelled at and told I was a bad child; even being physically thrown across the room and tossed outside to freeze in the cold West Virginia winter. Later on my brother became the troubled one as I excelled in school and athletics. He turned to drugs and a lifestyle filled with negative influences. During my sophomore year he was with his “friends” on the way back from a party and crashed his car. As a result of this accident he was in a coma for a week. The crushing pain my family and I experienced was debilitating. I didn’t want anyone to feel this pain. It led me to want to make a difference in the world. From being abused to my brother’s transgressions I was naturally inclined to apply with the Victim Assistance Program.
After my experience at this organization I no longer felt like a failure. I no longer disappointed anyone. I made myself and my boss proud. I brought pride to the office of Victim Assistants. Most importantly, I had given someone a voice. I accomplished my goal. I had made a positive difference in the world. This one change is not enough for me, however. I want to pursue a career where I can consistently change the world. My experience with this organization as well as subsequent conversations with judges, attorneys, and court staff has solidified my belief in becoming an attorney.