Mother of 5 celebrates high school graduation at 35, admission into nursing program
'I never thought I would be here today,' says Kristy Dawn Wilson
For 35-year-old Kristy Dawn Wilson, getting her Grade 12 diploma is nothing short of a miracle.
She's proud to graduate from high school on Wednesday — accomplished while raising five children on her own — and to celebrate three years of sobriety.
On top of that, she's been accepted into a nursing program at the University of Manitoba, the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
"School has helped me so much, and I feel like I'm so excited to look forward to the future," Wilson said.
Wilson, who is from Skownan First Nation and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, graduated with a Grade 12 mature student diploma from Urban Circle Training Centre — a Winnipeg school she says helped her through a difficult period of her life.
"I learned so much about myself after being in school and finding my way because I didn't live a good life. I come from a lot of trauma, but being in this school really helped me," she said.
Wilson wanted to finish school at 18, but dropped out several times as she moved around a lot growing up.
Instead at 18, she had her first daughter. Eventually she had four more children who ended up with her mother while she battled addictions for eight years, she said.
The loss of her father and then her brother to addictions pushed her further into her own, she said.
"I just was so lost for so long, using things to cope with all the death that I had around me," Wilson said.
Holding her brother's ashes, she says he has been her biggest inspiration to further her education — an accomplishment she achieved for her children.
"I'm able to show them that I can do it, because I always said that I can't do this because I didn't really believe in myself."
WATCH | Kristy Dawn Wilson talks about finishing school while raising kids:
Circle of support
Finishing school while raising kids has been a challenge, but her teachers, family and friends supported her, she said.
"They help you with just about anything in life. They're just there to listen to you. They push you, they believe in you and have impacted my life so much."
Teachers at Urban Circle Training Centre are extremely proud of her for overcoming all obstacles and not giving up.
"I have seen her grow in so many ways, and I know you are going to make it far in life," said teacher Billamena Paysh.
"She is on a healing journey and discovery journey for a long time. Urban Circle opened her doors for education and it has made a difference. She understands the value of education," said Donald Allan Jolly, another teacher.
Wilson got into the University of Manitoba program Mahkwa omushki kiim: pathway to Indigenous nursing education (PINE).
Her goal is to become a nurse because her father died after being sick, and she hopes to help people, she said.
"I feel like he's one of my biggest reasons why I want to be a nurse. If I can give back to my community, maybe I can just save people and be there for them, I guess, as a nurse."
Her kids are looking forward to being there for her graduation and seeing her on the big day.
"That idea that I accomplished something in my life for my children, that I've overcome all the stuff and coming back to school was, like, a huge thing for me," Wilson said.
Even when Wilson couldn't keep up, her eldest daughter encouraged her to study.
"I would phone her, crying, 'I can't go to school. I can't find a sitter. I can't do this. I don't think I'm going to graduate.' Oh my gosh, she's like, 'You're so hard on yourself. You're going to do it.'"
Wilson is eager to pursue her future goals and restart her life for the sake of her children, she said.
"I know I will succeed. I made it this far in my life. I keep pushing. I never gave up and my children are my biggest inspirations."
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