Dear Chris,

Dear Chris,My parents grew up in Appalachia but left the area for work in the midwest where I was brought up. I now own and live at the farm that my father grew up on and like these beautiful mountains of Appalachia very much. My father received his GED in the U.S. Army and I was the first in my family the attend college. My biggest complaint about Appalachia is that so many people do not see an education as a way out of poverty. As a young adult can you give me any insight of your own or your friends as to why this is? Does the Amercan dream exist in Appalachia? Does it exist for you? Please don't quit and don't make excuses! You can accomplish this if you want it badly enough! Keep trying! You will eventually succeed!

Paula Bigelow

Dear Chris,

Chris, I think you have so much potential! You have been through alot! Think ahead! Go to that college, get an education. It's scary but do it! Alot of people are counting on you. You are so lucky to have so many people looking out for you. Even a mother in Minnesota saw the potential in you.

Please Please Do It.......

Joyce norling
East Bethel, MN

Dear Chris,

I'd love to see Chris go to Berea College. Students there work in on-campus jobs and it's tuition free. He could really flourish there.

Neill Caldwell
High Point, NC

Dear Chris,

Chris, I was so moved watching your story last night. I have a 20 year old daughter who is also struggling to find her way in the world. It was evident to me that you possess a great mind. You have so much potential! It takes many small steps to find out "who" you are, but it can be done. The world is not a kind place for a lot of us, but if you persevere you will succeed. I didn't continue my schooling until I was 32 & I now own my own business. Keep up the good fight Chris. You will win!

Melanie Dean
Assumption, MN

Dear Chris,

I want to tell Chris that his story touched me deeply. I grew up in a home like his, only with more violence than a child should see. If it had not been for going to college I would have never seen that there is a wonderful world out there. At first, I thought I was too dumb to go to college because I was not a good student in high school. How can you study when you are just trying to survive? College opens the door. If there is any way Chris and Cody could go they will realize they do not have to live like the generations of alcoholics that came before them. Chris does not have to repeat the alcoholism or drug addiction and the struggle is worth it for his future children.

Delores Gill
Freeburg, Illinois

Dear Chris,

Dear Chris,You hang in there, young man. It is obvious that you got what it takes to make a future for yourself. True there are plenty of obstacles on the road to success but you just keep moving forward by taking one step at time and keeping your eye fixed on your goals. I was so proud to find out you graduated. You got to know, though, that a bright, compassionate guy like you belongs in college. You will definitely be a great asset to society whatever career you choose. But, most important, I hope you build yourself a life of happiness and fulfillment. You so deserve it!

Libby CuevaCalifornia

Libby Cueva
Garden Grove, CA

Dear Chris,

I have been really moved seeing your story on the documentary. You are such a good guy and you have had to deal with so much. You are going to be fine and you are going to have a good woman too. You are hard working and you do so much for your family. This time in your life isn't going to last forever, you will look back on it and wonder how you got through it. But things are going to get a lot better. Seeing your story has helped so many people.

Susannah Murray
Los Angeles, CA

Dear Chris,

I was very touched by Chris' loyalty to his family. Parents are very important to children and teens. I wish you had gotten the support (emotional) from yours but it didn't happen. I think that is why when you were almost at success you backed away from it. I think it would work well when you use a different way of handling your life. For now I think you've done an outstanding job. You know you like to have someone to talk to. You know you feel awkward asking girls on a date. You know you like being with people and helping people. You like working for what you get. I think it's your time to make these insights part your life in a way that will benefit you. I'd like to see you live in a dorm, probably a male to keep it simple. You are at a good age to read the Bible, start a prayer life, seek and ask for Wisdom. Keep your eye out for a person who you could get advice and support from , maybe a teacher or upperclassman, councelor, someone you admire.

Julia Shields
Drexel Hill, PA

Dear Chris,

I watched your story on PBS and was very touched. You struck me as very bright and mature. Life has dealt you many obstacles, but you have succeeded. You need to pursue higher education. Now that you have done this documentary you have opened the door. Write a letter about your life, this documentary, and your goal of going to college and send it to a bunch of schools. I guarantee you will be accepted and given some form of scholarship. I went to college on student loans and now I'm successful. Don't get lost...

peg curren

Dear Chris,

I have never seen more potential and intelligence in a young man than in yourself. I just want to grab you by the shirt collar and make sure you stay in school. I saw a clip of the last episode of you in your cap and gown and I cried. Please tell me you graduated and that you are doing well. Seeing you with your family showed what a caring son and brother that you are. You deserve a better life that only education can provide. Education is the most important component of future success and as a public school teacher for 27 years I was touched deeply by your story.

Judy Adair
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Dear Chris,

Chris, I was so impressed by the way you handle yourself. You have a wonderful vocabulary and certainly know how to communicate your thoughts and ideas clearly. You say that you are shy, but you do not present yourself that way. Maybe you don't realize what a great person you are? You do not give yourself enough credit. Although, as you stated, you did not have a good role model at home; you can still go far in this world. Make some goals, take small steps towards them each day or week or month. Slowly you will reach your goals. It will take hard work and commitment, but you CAN DO IT. Good luck. God bless you.

Donna Louzon

Dear Chris,

I'm a native Kentuckian. The details of your life reminded me of many in my hometown who struggled. For us, it was the farmers struggling to make a living on tobacco or the migrant families working for a pittance on horse farms. Your story especially moved me.

It takes a strong will to put your life up for scrutiny, as you did for David Sutherland's documentary, especially when Kentuckians are often the subject of ridicule. Many Americans will always see Kentuckians as poor and ignorant--a destiny of our own choosing.

But your life demonstrates that Kentuckians don't choose this path purposely. We want more for ourselves, just like everyone else. We dream dreams, just like everyone else. We fall short of achieving those sometimes, just like everyone else. And often, we do exactly what we set out to do, just like everyone else.

I hope that you have found pride in yourself for doing this documentary. You have much in this world to be proud of.

Kim Hudson
Columbus, Ohio

Dear Chris,

You are a gifted, caring young man. the success of a life is measured in happiness, and i wish you much. take care of yourself and PLEASE give yourself the credit you deserve.

chrissy schramm
hickory, nc

Dear Chris,

I just wanted you to know that I grew up in Martin County Ky. We were neighbors. I went through all that you have gone throughand understand you completely. I do want you to know that with a lot of work and self determination that you can make it. You may have to leave the area, but you can make it in life. I am afraid that if you stay your options are limited as mine were. I have a lot of friends who decided not to leave and most are still in extreme poverty or working in the mines. They wished that they left now. I love the area and yes I do get homesick for the mountains, but I realized that if I was going to have a family I wanted more to offer them. When I left there I was a teenage runaway and on drugs. This is all I knew. I was shocked to get out and see that not everyone lives that way. Anyway, thank you for sharing your story. Maybe it will show those who are in the same situation there is hope.

Christie Blair
Alabaster, Alabama

Dear Chris,

I grew up on a farm in a very poor,small town in Ohio. I just wanted to encourage Chris to keep up the fight, I was there myself. I am now 30, and a single mother who ran far from the country home town that was familar to me. I joined a mentoring organization and put myself through college and got a 4 year degree. I have a good job and my daughter is 5.Once in a while, I go back and see those who are still stuck in life's rut- my little sister is one of them. I wanted to share a quote I read every day... "With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are attainable". Best of Luck in all your adventures Chris.

Anna Clevidence