Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship

When my infant daughter's feeding tube came out during the family party, it meant an immediate trip to the hospital where it would need to be surgically placed again. I watched my other four children immediately fall into their roles. One went into action to gather my suitcase, another ran to her room to make a picture to decorate the hospital room, my son piled onto the couch to cry, and the last sat there trying to hold back her emotions. I squeezed them tight, all of us knowing I would be gone at least 3-4 nights caring for Sarah in the hospital. Amongst all the social workers, nurses, and doctors, no one had spoken to us as a family about how we were functioning, coping, and managing our lives with the diagnosis of Sarah's genetic condition. It was that moment I knew I needed to finish my degree to help other families navigate these situations. I decided to return to school to finish my bachelors degree at Arizona State University and am now pursuing my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a specialization in Medical Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. The challenges I face as a student, wife, mother, preschool teacher, dance instructor, basketball and volleyball coach are unique due to my age and number of responsibilities I have. I am one of two in my cohort over the age of 40. My perspective due to my age and experiences allows me to approach the material and apply it from a different viewpoint than my classmates. My children have been witnesses, study helpers, and dinner makers due to my return to school. It has become a family effort and the life lessons and skills they are learning and observing, first hand, are invaluable. Time management, discipline, and sacrifice are among them. My support system is greater and I have the wisdom to ask for help that I never did in my earlier years. I am often humbled by the helping hands and investment those around me have made into cheering me on and ensuring I reach my end goal. I hope to give back what I have learned and received by working with families and children who have received a chronic, lifelong, or terminal illness. The challenges these families face are many, but the strength and hope of the family system can help alleviate many stressors and improve the quality of life for each family member. What my family was missing was someone to help tie and bring us together. We discovered leaning into one another, when we felt the medical condition was driving us further apart, was what we needed. We also learned everyone had a voice and feelings that deserved to be heard. Having support and tools to cope during times of fight or flight can strengthen an individual's and family's resiliency to be prepared for the next time. This scholarship would help in funding my education so I can graduate and enter the workforce into the field of mental health where the wait lists are ongoing. There is an immediate need and I am eager to serve. As I prepare to graduate in 2025, my oldest daughter will be preparing to launch into her college journey, Fall of 2026. Taking the financial pressure off of the student loans I need to repay can help me save to launch my daughter to be a change and way-maker too.

My life journey has been filled with positive experiences and challenges. I was a very productive, goal driven individual until I was injured and became disabled. After my injury I was not as active as I had been before. I gave up on my goals and dreams of being a successful advocate for others in need. I had to do a medical withdrawal from school as I was struggling mentally and physically after the injury. I was pursuing my MSW degree. and has dreams of becoming a social worker with the department of human services area. Having been disabled since 2012 these experiences have had me face prejudice and discrimination. Highlighting the importance of equality, inclusion, and acceptance for all individuals has shaped my personal values at this stage in my life. Learning to navigate the world as a disabled person has fostered values of independence, self-reliance, and the importance of adapting to challenges in creative ways while I’m back in school. Being a disabled person pursuing a career as a clinical social worker will provide unique insights and perspectives that will enhance my ability to connect with and support clients. My personal experiences navigating the world with a disability has fostered empathy, understanding, and compassion towards individuals facing similar challenges. This will help me build rapport with clients, establish trust, and create a safe and supportive environment for them to share their struggles and work towards their goals. Life experiences, particularly those as a disabled person, has significantly shaped and strengthened my commitment to community service. As a disabled individual, I have faced various challenges and obstacles that have instilled in me a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. As a disabled person, I have experienced firsthand the lack of accessibility and accommodations in various community settings. This has fueled my passion for advocating for equal rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, as well as for promoting diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of community life. My resilience in the face of adversity, and my ability to overcome challenges served as a source of inspiration for others in my community. By sharing my story and showing how I have thrived despite obstacles, I have empowered and uplifted those around me. I encourage them to persevere and pursue their own goals. As a social worker my education will be a powerful tool for making a positive impact in my community. I can use my education to enhance my work and create meaningful change. I will advocate for education and awareness around social issues in my community. I will offer educational resources, and support individuals and families in need. I can do this by providing workshops on parenting skills, financial literacy, job readiness, or mental health coping strategies. Receiving a scholarship from Debra S. Jackson would be a significant opportunity that could help me in achieving my goal of going back to school in my early 40s. This scholarship will provide financial support that will alleviate the burden of tuition costs, textbooks, and other expenses associated with pursuing further education at this stage in my life. The financial help from the scholarship will enable me to focus on my studies and academic pursuits without having to worry about the financial strain that often comes with pursuing higher education later in life. Knowing that someone believes in my potential, and is willing to invest in my education will inspire me to work even harder towards achieving my academic and career goals.