Daniel Rector

Until recently, Daniel didn’t have many career options open to him.  He dropped out of high school and the life he was leading was constantly in conflict with the law.  After repeated run-ins with the law, he knew that he needed to change his life or he would likely end up in jail or worse.  Daniel decided the best way to change his life would be to further his education.  It wouldn’t be easy for him, but then again very little in his life has been easy.

From a difficult relationship with his father to various mental and physical health issues Daniel has faced many challenges.  By the time he was four years old, he had survived chemical pneumonia, had a tumor removed from his foot and had to relearn to walk, and he had developed kidney problems.  Then in 2004 at the age of 16, he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.  Soon after that diagnosis, despite the fact Daniel could easily get good marks in high school, he dropped out.  He started home schooling and soon realized he needed more structure and enrolled in a program at the Colchester County Learning Association (CALA).  Daniel credits the CALA program with helping to turn his life around.  “It’s a good environment to learn the basics, hone your skills and get your life back on track,” said Daniel. 

In 2007, he enrolled in an Adult Learning Program at the Truro campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).  Daniel is now completing his final year of ALP and has recently been elected as President of the Student Association.  His work as President of the Student Association is just the latest in a long history of volunteering.  Some of his past volunteer work included the Cobequid Parent Youth Centre, the NSCC Thread Shed, the Bible Hill Easter Egg Hunt, and The Ride for Sight, to name a few.

Daniel’s short term plan is to finish the ALP program and then take a human services course at NSCC.  Long term, he would like to attend university to study psychology and someday become a psychologist or criminologist. 

Daniel’s advice for anyone in a similar situation to the one he was in is, “You can change, and nothing is impossible.”  Daniel has always been a creative person and he enjoys writing.  He wrote the following poem about his experience in the Adult Learning Program:

ALP

Before there was an us
There was an “I” to trust
No team, just me
Wrong places to be
Now its time to succeed
As a group we’re a new breed
With no room to drop
This group is headed to the top
Straightened line with no knot.