Meghan Vigeant

Only Human Meghan Vigeant

I was a criminal for a long time, and it just doesn't suit me anymore. I spun in and out of jail and prison since the age of 12. I was angry with the world, with the man who abused me as a child, with myself. I was violent. I had drug and alcohol problems. I rejected my two kids and thought, "good riddance." I just didn't care about others. I welcomed the idea of overdosing; it seemed like a good way to end it all. I am so different now. I almost want to change my name. Today I identify myself as a loving person. I have joy and happiness with myself. I'm proud of myself for succeeding. I have hopes that others succeed. I mean, I'm still Alton. I still have the capacity to go the other way, but my hope is that I don't. Today I would call myself a compassionate loving person, kind of a wimpy human being, like a sissified tweety bird. Okay, I don't really mean that. The work I've done, opening up my wounds, learning to communicate in a healthy positive way, reconnecting with my family, finding forgiveness - all this took courage. So, I guess I'm a courageous tweety bird now.