"In 1999, my husband had a well-paying job and I lived a comfortable life. Shorty, thereafter, he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that would result in his eventual blindness. I knew that if I wanted to maintain the quality of life I had become accustomed to, I would need to do something.

That “something” was education.

I started with a general education diploma I earned through a six-week night school course offered by TRU [Thompson River University, Kamloops, British Columbia]. I never looked back, graduating in 2006 with a master’s degree from Royal Roads University.

During my years as an adult student, I was thoroughly encouraged and supported by our education system. I was gifted with grants and bursaries and scholarships, some of which were based solely on my mature student status.

Many a night I utilized TRU’s on-campus math and English labs. I earned a great deal of my undergraduate credits using TRU’s flexible Open Learning online option.

I feel so grateful for Canada’s access to education programs.

Education was the way for me.

There is a great deal of wage equivalent — and even much higher paying —opportunities out there.

Health care and technology are good examples.

The pipeline may become a lifeline for one individual. And I believe in the power of one."

Photo credits to Unsplash

Marguerite D