Connecting Knowledge and Research

Meet Ray. Age 17 to 18

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Meet Ray. Age 17 to 18 Program Transcript

NARRATOR: Ray gains self-confidence from exercising, socializing with the other team

workers at his part-time fast-food job, and honing his woodworking skills he graduates

high school. Ray applies to college with the support of his teacher-mentor and gets a full

scholarship. He would be the first in his family to attend college.

However, his father George becomes sick with lung cancer the summer before his

freshman year of college. Ray doesn't know where to turn. He is estranged from his

father's side of the family due to a fight George had with his brother years ago. His

mother's side of the family do not live in the area, and he's never had a close

relationship with them. He feels a sense of obligation to George and guilt for what he'd

said about wishing him dead, ray never leaves for college, letting the scholarship lapse.

He stays and cares for his father until George dies four months later.

Now 18, Ray lives alone with a rescue pit bull named Daisy. He has maintained his fast-

food job, but after George's death, he begins to show up at work late, unshowered, and

occasionally drunk. Ray's boss tells him that he understands he's grieving, but he can't

show up in that state. The boss puts him on probation. If he is late, skips work, or shows

up inebriated again, he will be fired.

If Ray loses his job, his housing will be in jeopardy as well. Ray's work friends

encourage him to see a social worker.