Therapy & UC Berkeley

After my court ordeal, I lived with my mother for awhile and then I got on government assistance and found a nice little apartment to live in. My only problem was that I did not get along with my neighbors.

One day, after fighting with my downstairs neighbor, I was overwhelmed with sadness. I said to myself, “Something is wrong with me.” Then a voice in my head said, “Get help.”

Two weeks later, I found a therapist. He helped me to understand that I had issues left over from my childhood. Unfortunately, he was also a predator and one day he asked me if I would have sex with him. I remember looking up at his credentials on the wall and wondering why this educated man was interested me. Then I agreed to his request.

Eventually, this relationship ended and I was right back where I started—being ashamed and wondering what would become of me.

A few months later, I decided to try therapy again. I asked some friends and they recommended Michael Steele. We met in San Francisco a few weeks later.

Michael was a good listener, but he also gave me some good advice. He said one day, “Susan, why don’t you go back to school.” “I can’t, I replied, I am not smart enough.”

Michael was silent for a moment and said, “Why don’t you give it a try anyway. So, I went to a local community college and took one course. I got an A+. I was ecstatic and signed up for more classes. I ended up with a two-year degree with honors.

Now, it was time to find a four-year college. I decided to go to a school in San Francisco that was easy to get in, but then realized I could not afford the bus fare everyday. Once again, my inner voice said, “Go to UC Berkeley.” I hesitated, but decided I would give it a try.

I found a program that helped students who were older and had children. The counselor of the program was very nice, but she said, “Susan, why have you come to us. You have a 4.0 GPA. You don’t need our assistance. Just go upstairs and sign up.” I did, and I got admitted.

I loved going to school at UC Berkeley. The campus is beautiful and the professors were the best in their field. Also, it was the school my father attended in 1950.

The next two years passed quickly, and I graduated in 1978, Phi Beta Kappa. Then I stayed on an extra year and got a teaching credential. Unfortunately, I lacked the confidence to teach, so I got a job as a secretary. Never underestimate the power of low self-esteem to hold you back from your destiny.