I always wanted to work with kids since I was a kid. But...
   80s/early 90s was a time of child predators and satanic circles
   in the woods and evil hackers talking to each other. Well I
   wasn't a child predator or in a satanic circle nor an evil
   hacker.

   But I wanted to be a middle school teacher (talented + gifted as
   well as 'slow'), even when I was 14 yrs old - was into religion
   at the time, and was getting online back when it was a mystery
   to most ppl (late 80s).

   So after some awesome classes in child psych, at college - left
   school (no more money), came home, spent a year doing volunteer
   occupational therapy for kids with cerebral palsy...

   ... [and starting the 1st children's rights group on the
   Internet - go me]...

   ...I realized I was suddenly 23 yrs old, single, it was 1995,
   the first ped priests were everywhere... and for ME to go into
   teaching or other fields with kids as an unmarried, adult
   male... was going to be HELL.

   So I didn't. I went into computer programming instead. Best
   thing I ever did.

   I don't regret a thing. I love my life choices... even the ones
   I couldn't control.

   But - I wasn't so much sad for me. I was sad for those who got
   shuffled around and given the critical eye who, like me, just
   wanted to help the next generation be a better one... and
   suffered through being painted with a BROAD brush in an age of
   discrimination against males in teaching/comforting/helping
   roles.

   We're still in that age... but hopefully one day, it'll go away.
   Hopefully.