There is stigma in Canada too and yet I am one of the few of my friends who didn't go to university and has a career directly related to my education that I love. Go figure!

If you're going for you and not others don't let fear get in your way. Take a correspondence course if you're afraid of looking foolish. No one has to know. Even if you take an in class course no one has to know your marks.

If you're not sure what program to take maybe ask your therapist (if you have one) for the "Strong Interest Inventory". It compares your likes and dislikes to those of people working in many different occupations. It indicates what areas are likely to interest you and that you'll enjoy. That's how I found my passion. Before that X-ray was never on my radar screen.

I can't stress enough that you need to do this for your own reasons and not for what other people think. I tried and was miserable. I have no doubt you can do it, you sound like you're determined enough.