The author is a member of our White Collar Support Group that meets online on Zoom on Monday evenings. We will celebrate our 300th meeting on March 14, 2022, 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT.
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“If you are going through hell.. keep going.”- Winston Churchill
I joined the White Collar Support Group last year, after I pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud. I am not known to reach out for help too often, one of my shortcomings, but I knew this was something I could not face alone. I had not told anyone but my spouse about my legal troubles and hid it for well over 2 years. I knew I had to seek out others who had exposure to the impossible to understand American justice system. I found the group through a Google search and a link to an article in the New Yorker magazine titled, “Life after White Collar Crime”.
I was a bit hesitant at first to join, worried it might be some strange cult, but after talking with Bill from the group my nerves were settled. I did not feel judged and was able to express my feelings at that point in time. I logged on to my first Zoom meeting that week and mostly just listened to the different stories being told, but I found everyone to be incredibly honest and real. I was moved so many times during the meetings that I had to turn the camera off because I did not want anyone to see a tear rolling down my cheek.
I always feared making mistakes since I was very young because I did not want to be judged. I put extreme pressure on myself to excel at everything I do, so much so that it ended with disastrous results. What I found in the group is that most of them have felt this same pressure and also (temporarily) destroyed their lives as well.
Through the group I have watched others go through what I have gone through and also what awaits me. As I get ready to self-surrender this month, it gives me great hope that all these smiling people will be at the Zoom meeting when I return to society stronger and better than before. I know life after serving will be hard, but I have confidence that with the help of Jeff Grant and the group members, it will be much smoother than doing it alone. I am forever thankful for finding this group.
