Even though she had to leave school after the seventh grade for health reasons, Marie Johnson was determined to complete her          education. While she was not able to attend regular classes, she     continued to read and review on her own, and looked for              educational programs that could help her prepare for her future. More than 12 years later, she found help and encouragement through ABE-At-A-Distance.

“Up till now,” Marie wrote, “I have been trying to cram 12 grades of education into just taking a GED   review test and praying that I would pass it. I have always been self-motivated . . . I just lacked the structure or an instructor to help me gain the knowledge for my grade level. . . By enrolling in ABE-At-A-Distance, I may just be able to help someone else someday.”

Marie mastered the ABE-At-A-Distance computer skills, as well as the language arts and math       requirements leading to the CEA2.                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She achieved her goals of       increasing her involvement in community activities and reading to children by volunteering as a youth worker at her church. She continued to pursue her hobby of creating cross-stitch and          needlepoint projects to share with her large circle of friends and family.

In March 2004 she was             recognized as an outstanding    student at the OAASIS Student              Conference.  Although she was using a wheelchair because of recent foot surgery, she traveled on her own from New Castle County to Dover for the event. A few weeks later, she was         diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, followed by months of surgery and chemotherapy.

Her illness has slowed her down, but Marie continues to set goals and see them through. Her      cancer is now in remission. She received her CEA2, and looks   forward to continuing her     preparation for the GED as her energy returns.

Marie also continues to share her talents and to help others. She has resumed working with her hands, and created a beautiful crocheted blanket for use by other patients as they undergo chemotherapy treatments. A    second blanket to be used for the same purpose is underway.

 

Student Battling Cancer Gets CEA

      by Patricia Taylor, DABE Program Manager