Proud of Rebecca Buck

To the Editor:

My name is Michael Dixon and I live in Andover. I am married to Deborah Olson from Bethel. We both are currently working for King Faisal Hospital and Research Center Ambulance Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We would like to take this opportunity to express our joy in our daughter, Rebecca Buck's graduation from Kaplin University in Lewiston.

Rebecca has lived with bi-polar illness since she was a child. As an employee for Med-Care Ambulance, I have responded to calls for her rapid cycling on several occasions. At that time, I never thought I would bear witness to the outstanding adult she has become today.

Her mother Deborah has been so supportive of Rebecca and never gave up that one day she would pull through these issues and learn how to deal with them. The story between these two people and what they have been through together, I cannot begin to put into words. There were good times, bad times and worse times.

I had been out of state working for two years and when I came back to Maine and started working for Med-Care again, I was asked to help out with an emergency medical technician class being held in Bethel. Deb was in that class. We already knew each other from me responding to calls at her house and when Rebecca had a traumatic accident.

After Deb got done her class, she was hired by Med-Care and we became friends. I came to know the family more and more, and over time we decided to get married and I became step-dad to Rebecca and Deb's other six children.

I have always tried to be there for all of the kids. And truth be told, Rebecca at times, was the most stressful. With our support, Rebecca got her GED and started taking college classes at Kaplin University. At times I thought she would not make it. She would get stressed and start spiraling. Deb and I helped where we could and tried to stay supportive.

With Rebecca being a single mom with two kids, holding two jobs to make ends meet, taking college classes, and having very little personal life; she has become an inspiration, even to me.

On June 9, she will be marching in her graduation, as she has obtained her associates degree in Medical Assisting. She has received the Changing Lives Award, the Ambassador Award and the Tutor of the Year Award for her role in helping other students at Kaplin. She is also receiving the President's Award for high GPA. She is currently working on her bachelor's degree for Business Administration.

It gives me so much pride and joy to see how a troubled child can turn her life around to be so successful.

Rebecca, even though we will not be there with you when you walk down that isle, please now we are with you every step of the way, now and forever. We are both so proud of you, knowing where you were and how far you have come, our feelings cannot express in words.

For me personally, I am overwhelmed with joy and pride knowing that you are my daughter and I will always be your dad. Congratulations!

Your mother and I are so happy you never gave up on that dream that is now a reality. You said it best when you told your mom, “I get so aggravated with counselors who say, ' I know what you're going through' and now I can tell my students that, and have it mean something.”

We have a sign in our living room that states, “As far as anyone knows we are a normal family.” Rebecca is just further proof that we are an extraordinary family that I am thankful to be a part of.

Mike and Deb Dixon,

Saudi Arabia