Remarkable Learning Stories: Meet Jasmine transcript

Background voices What would you say to yourself at 27? Jasmine, do you know who I am? Jasmine, I'm you. 

Jasmine: I was 27 years old, pregnant with my third child. Me and the children left. We had to go to a domestic violence shelter. I felt like the worst mom ever. 

Avatar: Hi, Jasmine. Do you know who I am? 

Jasmine: I sure do. 

Avatar: I'm you at 27. I'm here from seven years ago. I thought maybe we could talk. 

Jasmine: That would be amazing. 

Avatar: I'm at the point in our life when we were in the shelter with the kids. Remember the air mattress with the slow leak? How we'd wake up sweaty on the floor? I'm still trying to figure out how to survive this chapter. 

Jasmine: You need to educate yourself so you can keep moving forward for those girls. 

Avatar: Do you know if I ever will go back to school? 

Jasmine: You will. I'm a nursing assistant. 

Avatar: Wow. 

Jasmine: You're going to go on to do great things. You have a loving family now. 

Avatar: Would you write something down for me? Something I can reread on the nights we're sweating on that leaking air mattress. What would you say to yourself at 27? What was that epiphany? 

Jasmine: Dear Jasmine, I know you feel defeated now, but just know that you are capable and you are worthy and everything on the other side is waiting for you. Don't give up. 

Avatar: Hearing you speak to me like that, it makes me believe that this version of us isn't the end of the story. Bye, Jasmine. I'll see you one day. You're my hero. 

Jasmine: Bye. Life is good now. Well, I'll help you when I get in, OK? Don't worry yourself. After I got nursing assisting training, a new woman emerged. I found my independence. So, so proud of myself.