38-year-old homeless mother of 3 overcomes adversity , bags degree at US university
A 38 year-old Mother of 3 children named Emma Lopez Ruano has defied all odds and challenges to bag a degree at Mount San Antonio College, United States.
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Emma Lopez Ruano, a 38-year-old mother of three, has triumphed over numerous challenges to achieve a significant milestone – earning a degree from Mount San Antonio College in the United States.
Emma's journey led her to graduate with an associate degree in alcohol and drug counseling. In an interview with ABC, she shared her incredible story of resilience and determination, highlighting her battles with homelessness and drug addiction.
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Reflecting on her past, Emma revealed that achieving a college degree once appeared unattainable, primarily due to the responsibilities and struggles she faced as a mother of three teenagers. During her graduation, she donned a cap with the meaningful inscription, "The message is hope. The promise is freedom."
"I didn’t think graduating college was even possible for me anymore. I have three kids who are all teenagers. My oldest is graduating high school this year, so this was something that I didn’t think I could even do," she expressed.
Emma candidly shared that her life took a turbulent turn in her 20s, characterized by drug use and poor choices. "In my 20s, I started doing drugs and I started doing really bad, making really bad choices," she acknowledged.
Her struggles persisted as she attempted to regain control and overcome addiction. "I kept trying to be clean, and I just wasn’t able to. I wasn’t able to get a hold of my life, and I couldn’t get control back, and I ended up homeless. I couldn’t manage my life anymore," she recalled.
Initially, Emma had not envisioned herself earning a college degree. Her initial goal was to acquire a vocational certificate. However, she persevered and her educational journey evolved incrementally.
Emma credited the counselors at Mount San Antonio College for playing a pivotal role in guiding her decisions and providing continuous encouragement. Their support and her unyielding determination ultimately led to this remarkable achievement.
