Back in 1997 I got a DUI.  I was young and very immature.  I blamed everybody else but me.  I got my life on track, got married, had a child, and a non-satisfying career.  I unfortunately made another irresponsible mistake in 2006 and got another DUI.  This time I blamed nobody but me.  From the moment the door went open at the police station and my wife was there to pick me up with our daughter sleeping on her lap, I knew I was never going to disappoint them again.  I decided to take matters into my own hands and challenge myself to a new field, I decided to pursue Respiratory Therapy.  School would be a good idea, especially not having the ability to drive for a year.  I will admit it took awhile for me to warm up to the idea of me performing the taks of the RT, but it did finally kick in after about a year.  I was committed.  I got through school, passed my CRT on the first attempt and was ready to go.  However, because of my past record of DUI, the Board of Medicine wanted to send me for an evaluation.  I consented and had the evaluation, that evaluator concluded that I had no issues, no need for further treatment and recommended my status to the Board.  However, the case manager for the VRP (Voluntary Recovery Program) decided that because I had an acknowledge use of alcohol that I had an impairment.  He indicated that I needed to be monitored for 3 YEARS as per program in order to get a recommendation for licensure.  Needless to say I am dumbfounded that past indiscepencies would be judged so harshly.  I have done so much to move forward and leave the past in the past, I have found new focus, new purpose and yet I am not able to get past it. 

Does anyone have any advice or just a helpful perspective on this topic, I would greatly appreciate some words from professionals in the field.  By the way, I also past the written portion of my RRT exam on the first attempt!  Thanks so much for this forum.