I fought hard to work hard.
I came from an immigrant Mexican family, which taught me a strong work ethic. My dad worked three jobs at a time to keep the family fed.
I remember this one time, he came home from a construction job. He had cement all over his pants, his hands were all cut up and he said: "I want you to know what a working man's hands look like. I don't want this for you."
I've always taken that to heart.
When I was in my teens, my parents left the state in search of work. I dropped out of school at 17, got two jobs and took care of my three siblings for two years.
I started taking night classes and got my high school diploma when I was 21.
I worked in a warehouse for 10 years, and now, I'm working at a nonprofit art center, helping adults with disabilities.
I've also been taking two to three night classes the entire time, and I'm slowly putting myself through college, working toward a bachelors in psychology. My hope is to eventually earn a Ph.D. in neuropsychology.
I have never asked for anything more than what I've worked to get.
