When Susan Houchen found herself pregnant at sixteen, she promised herself that when her kids were grown, she would complete her education. It's been a challenging journey.

Soon after she turned twenty, Susan became a single mother with three kids: Four year old Trevor was born deaf, three year old, Amber later battled Anorexia Nervosa successfully and newborn, Jenny was born partially paralyzed on the left side - By the way Jenny now types fifty words a minute with one hand.

After five years of struggle as a single parent, Andre entered Susan's life and, along with the constant support of her children's' father, life became somewhat easier. Then eighteen months ago, four days after she had finally managed to go back to school as a full time student, Andre was killed in a car accident.

A few weeks later, still numb from the loss of her partner, she found herself out of school and back at her old job in order to support Jenny, her honor student daughter, as she completed Grade 12. Years before her son Trevor had moved to live with his dad in Burnaby so he could complete his education at a special school for deaf students.

Last August, when Amber was accepted at Malaspina University College, Susan and Jenny decided to move to Nanaimo with her from their home in Oliver. Then in February Susan registered in the Resident Care Attendant program at Sprott-Shaw Community College. A few days later Jenny registered in the Medical Office Assistant program.

Both will graduate in August and plan on working for a year or so before going back to school. Susan wants to take a Licensed Practical Nurse program that she hopes will be established at Sprott-Shaw by then. Jenny would like to do something similar or perhaps become a Registered Nurse.

Like many other parents, especially single parents, Susan has had a challenging journey through life but she has managed to take care of herself well enough that now that her children are well launched, she has the strength she needs to begin to realize her own dreams.

"I really like life," Susan enthused. "Life is to live and you've got to carry on no matter what. And things do get easier. If you have a positive attitude, it seems to make people around you a little more positive and you start feeding off each other rather than always being down.

You've got to focus on the good rather than the bad," she continued. "There's so much to be thankful for. Why keep focusing on things you can't change? Try to improve things instead. I always tried to focus on our strengths as a family rather than our problems."

I asked Susan if she had any advice for others who might be facing extraordinary challenges. Her advice was simple but all too often in my experience people let pride prevent them from following it.

"Get support," she told me. "Don't stop until you find a support group: your doctor, your church or your family, someone. You need support and you also need a break now and then. You're not a super person."

Susan had the constant support of her children's father, who is a great role model for other divorced and separated parents. She also had strong support from her partner, Andre, who sadly was taken from her in that car accident.

As a result of this support and support from others, her family is doing well. Each of her children has graduated from high school; both of her daughters are in college ... and now, so is she. Neighbourhood Heroes all.