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Capital District EOC – 1991 Finding a Healthier Lifestyle and a Career in Healthcare Birthdays are usually times of celebration, but James Schadt will never forget his 42nd birthday. After 35 years of living as an alcoholic – on and off the streets of Albany – and losing the custody of his children, Mr. Schadt vowed that his 42nd birthday would be his last. Fortunately, a friend interceded and took him to a crisis house in Middletown, New York, where he spent 43 days undergoing rehab. Once Mr. Schadt moved to a halfway house, he realized he was going to have to start a new “clean and sober” life. A recruiter for the CDEOC visited the halfway house and encouraged Mr. Schadt to enroll in the College Prep program. Mr. Schadt recalls, “I figured my life was over at 43, but the CDEOC helped me start a new life. If it weren’t for my CDEOC teachers, I wouldn’t even have thought of going to college.” After graduating the CDEOC in 1991, Mr. Schadt enrolled in the nursing program at Russell Sage Junior College of Albany, where he became a Certified Nursing Assistant. But even after he earned his degree in 1994, he was hesitant to work as a nurse and worked at a job in carpentry. But eventually he gained the confidence to pursue his dreams in a new career. For the past eight years, Mr. Schadt has worked as a Night Supervisor specializing in Geriatrics for the Springs Nursing Home (formerly Hallmark) in Troy, New York. He is responsible for the care, health and well-being of 80 residents – and manages nine Certified Nursing assistants. Mr. Schadt adds, “I came to Albany with all of my possessions in a garbage bag. Now, I drive a new Mustang. My family and I still can’t believe I’m doing it! I hope someone reads my story and says, ‘If he can do it, I can do it’.” |
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