My Story
I was married at 16 years old to Patty, my first girlfriend, who was pregnant. At the time, I was president of my highschool junior class and an honor student with dreams of attending college in the Ivy League. Within two years of our marriage, overwhelmed by my responsibilities as an 18-year old father, my promising trajectory was reversed. I left my wife and baby for a life of addiction and failure; without education, career, or success, I lost connection with myself and with my son.
When I turned 30, I finally sought professional help and began to rebuild my life. My son Scott, who had long been the focus of my guilt, became the focus of my recovery. I worked hard to earn his respect and regain his presence in my life. For the last several years, we have enjoyed a strong and loving friendship that is a source of gratitude for me -- a gratitude that I have seen mirrored in the lives of the fathers I have helped guide to a reunion with their children.
As I traveled as a teacher and my work with absent fathers and children became known, I found that the absent father is now the central fact of American life and I am working to change that. I would like you to help me.