I think it is the feeling that you can't mess up that this references and which persists.

My past was a single mother, deadbeat dad, welfare and food banks.

Now I have a comfortable six-figure income and have been employed for over two decades.

I still feel like I'm one bad break away from being on the streets.

Was the most notable part of the article to you the headline writer's word choice?

He got a second chance where most people in his position wouldn't. He got lucky - his point is that most people don't get a second chance. Also, I think more than the facts of the matter, he's talking about the feeling of not being able to mess up even once. Also the fact that he was haunted by that one mistake - not getting some trivial forms in on time could have ruined his life. Pretty harsh if you think about it.