Greetings everyone my name is Thad Mclaughlin. I am 55 years old. I was born in Cleveland Ohio. Down the lake line of the Great Lake Erie. I was raised in Elyria Ohio up to 12. Then in the Educated City Oberlin Ohio. Known for it’s College. Oberlin was the first college in America to adopt a policy to admit black students (1835) and the first to grant bachelor’s degrees to women (1841) in a coeducational program. I now reside in Stafford Virginia about 10 – 40 minutes from Marine Corps Base Quantico depending on traffic.

I come from a very interesting Background. I am the oldest of 10 siblings. My father and mother never married. On my Mothers side there are 7 of us 5 brother and two sisters. The third oldest Brad passed as a baby (crib death). On my Fathers side There are four of us Me and three sisters. I am the only sibling that has my mother and father.

I was raised in an old school do as I say not as I do families. I would consider my un bringing dysfunctionally functional. I say this because I had everything in there from School Teachers and very respected members of the community to addicts and alcoholics and all the in between. Needless to say the were not many dull moments.

I grew up playing baseball, fishing, and a lot of good stuff. I learned how to drive starting on my step Fathers lap starting at 4 or 5. I’m a yellow so I was a thrill seeker. A wild child that got in a lot of trouble. Yet, did well in school as much by force as choice. Because doing well in school wasn’t an option. I learned the art of down more with less.

As a result of always trying to find an easier softer way I gravitated to street life. Fast cars, fast money and fast women. Sex, drugs, a little rock and roll and a lot of rap music. I acted a fool, partied, and rebelled! Finally after banging and kicking on the door I found my self in the incarcerated more than a few times.

“When I became a man I let go of my childish ways” Now I’m married and between the two of us we have 8 children and 15 grandchildren. My desire is to build something that will stabilize them and their future. I’ve had dreams and aspirations in my life. Yet, I am a next shiny thing person and I am really struggling to put my DMP together.