04/09/2022
Warning....a long read. ..
I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE WANTING TO GIVE UP THEIR DREAM....
I had no idea what I wanted to become but I knew that I wanted to be of service in the community, change people's lives and heal.
Life happened and I took 4 years to finish a 3 year degree.
I wanted to study further but then there was marriage, kids, divorce, marriage, kids, 😊and it took me 2 decades later, with a brave soul to attempt Academics, I graduated in under 2 years, was told I would never be able to do it....But I did and. ...Achieved a Higher Distinction and Distinction in some electives, ALSO had a baby in the process... At the age of 40. And graduated.
I got the opportunity again to study, I had no money... But I
Graduated!!!!... Again... ,I was the only one that attended graduation that year... Yes I graduated again, actually I was the only one present to receive my Post Graduate Diploma in Addictions Care at UCT.
Alongside completing a Certificate in Directed Alignment.
And I am sharing this with no arrogance, but to share that IT IS POSSIBLE.. and if I inspire just ONE person, that one person could further change communities.
I was told I am a woman, I am a mother... With kids, I cannot treat addicts, BUT I did it against societies' 'norms' , and ran a sober home that housed a maximum of 10 individuals struggling with Addiction.
I wanted to heal people, against all odds, I opened up Crawford Wellness Centre, which at one time housed 9 practitioners, namely, Naturopath, 2 Directed Alignment Technique Practitioners, Occupational therapist, speech therapist, somatologist, 2 TIBB doctors and Addiction consultant.
I was told that I needed to guard my tongue, and not just speak my mind.
I went against what I was told, I wanted to educate, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
So I wrote articles on Addiction, Family RESTORATION, I raised my voice on community radios, ran a Helpline for families of gamblers struggling with Addiction and ran Substance abuse Training for community leaders .
I was told alot that I could not do, but I attempted to try either way.
I wanted to find a good job. I was told to educate myself more first. So I took the advice and got a second degree in counseling, a 3rd degree in Addictions and a 4th degree in child and family studies. I will embark on my PhD soon Insha Allah.
Go against all odds, believe in your dream, follow your passion and DON'T let a lack of money stop you. SUCCESS IS NOT MEASURED BY THE MONEY IN THE BANK, it's measured by failing, and getting up and trying again and again, success is measured by the individuals lives that you change for the better.
And always have FAITH.
Perseverance pays off. Just keep going, you will get there.
Light, love and blessings.
Sharmilah Adams-Israel
BA(UWC)
Graduate School of Business(UCT)
Play Therapy Level 2,
Cert Directed Alignment Technique,
Graduate Diploma Counselling(SACAP)
PG Dip Addictions Care (UCT)
Master in Child and Family Studies (UWC)
Cert Islamic Psychology (AL Balaagh Academy UK)
Suhba (Al Madina)
PhD candidate.
🌿Transformational consultant
🌿Psychological Well-being Practitioner
🌿Coach
🌿Addictions consultant
🌿Directed Alignment Technique Practitioner
🌿Researcher
🌿 Substance Abuse/Addictions trainer
🌿Motivational Speaker
🌿Crawford Wellness Centre
