Introduction

There is a new kid on the block. Me. I’m Randy. Yesterday I began the third grand epic adventure of my life. My first grand epic adventure lasted for 21 years. From June, 1984 to June, 2005 I had the great fortune to be self employed as a wallpaper hanger and painter.  My job took me into some fabulous homes, and I had the privilege of meeting a vast number of wonderful people. Some of my jobs lasted two or three weeks and longer, and I would almost become a part of the family.

In December of 2004 there was a growing realization on my part, that the time to let my business go was fast approaching. Steady hands are a must, and Parkinson’s kind of gets in the way. June 23, 2005 I hung my last strip of wallpaper at 2:35 in the afternoon. In August 2005 I became a full time student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Becoming a student was my second grand epic adventure. Not only was I older than most of my classmates, I was older than most of their parents. Graduation was May 17, 2008 and I was awarded a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

My third grand epic adventure began yesterday. There are a number of issues in a persons’ life that could become barriers to finding meaningful and lucrative employment. Age is one, and I am 62. Disability is another, and Parkinson’s definitely applies. Another significant barrier is a felony conviction. I am in my 15th year of probation on a 15 year suspended sentence. My focus at VCU was on the controversial subject of reentry. Self employment provides a remedy to most barriers, by giving a person the tools to go around the barriers. When I was hanging wall paper and painting, there were no background checks.

So Friday was my first day working with Sue to develop and strengthen my computer skills, working toward sustainable self employment once again.