We usually like to see how the economy is doing by measuring statistics like GDP, but those broad measures don’t always reflect everyone’s experience. That’s why we’ve collected stories from people all over the country for a segment we call “My Economy.” Here’s our latest story.

Wendey Waggoner is a single mom of three working as a social worker in Georgetown, Indiana. Waggoner had a comfortable life when she was married to an attorney, but when they divorced her lifestyle changed dramatically. Now she has to stretch her paycheck to support her sons.

Making $30,000 a year, it was hard for her to see the light at the end of the financial tunnel. Waggoner decided it was time to think about an old dream that would help her better provide for her family.

“My original goal was to become a doctor. I had given up on that years ago, but it started coming back to me over the last few years. Like, I wonder if I can still do that?” she said. “It was almost like I kind of gave myself permission to dream again about something for myself… And I decided to go for it.” 

Going for it isn’t going to be easy. Waggoner has to figure out how to pay for everything while attending school.

“It’s everything from looking at borrowing the money, if its even a possibility.” She’s even thinking about selling her house. Whatever her decision is, her sons are on board and are her biggest cheerleaders. In fact her eldest son wants to go into the medical profession and they have a friendly bet to see who is going to finish first. 

 Click on the audio above to hear Waggoner’s whole story.