This is the story of a young man named Carl who never knew his real father because his father died at the age of eight. Carl’s mother later remarried another man when he was eleven. He grew up thinking that he was his real father. As a child, he had epilepsy and was put on medications. While in high school, his seizures got into control through his medicines. He graduated from high school and later went on to Colorado State University to study Sociology. While studying at the University, he thought that he could become a Social Worker in California with just his degree.
While at the University, he had to be put on some other medicines. They
brought his seizures under control. Five years after graduation, he was able to start looking for a job. Carl got a part time job at the San Francisco Department of Mental Health. This was a part time job because they had no full time openings. He made just enough money to get by on. Carl kept his job for three years where he heard about paying opportunities with VISTA that was part of the Peace Corps. Carl applied and was interviewed. After the interview, they set him up with a spot in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They provided him with his housing, food stamps and some spending money. He enjoyed his job very much. After leaving VISTA, he worked several jobs back in California as a bus boy, dishwasher and a grill cook.
He always wanted a job as a Social Worker and couldn’t find one because he didn’t have his MSW. Carl went on to hold jobs in various hospitals doing jobs that he thought would lead him to a job as a Social Worker.
After several years of doing this type of work, he reapplied for VISTA and was reaccepted. After accepting him, they sent him to a post in Fallon, Nevada. He worked while there in the Nevada State Hospital as an intake worker. He worked there for the entire term of his appointment. After his job with VISTA, he returned to California where he got himself a job as a clerk in a bank. He is still working in the banking industry and is doing fine. His mother finally told him about his father and he went to New York to visit his father’s grave.
Today at the age of thirty-five, he is married to a girl that worked at his same bank. He has been married to her for five years and they have adopted a boy. His wife also has epilepsy. They all three live happily together in Southern California.
No Dad
Glen Mayberry - Writer
Actual Story
