Dylan's Journey Memorial Scholarship

Essay for the Dylan’s Journey Memorial Scholarship When I learned I had an inoperable tumor affecting important parts of my brain, my world could have collapsed. But instead, it strengthened my determination to fight and keep moving forward. My journey with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) has been a defining aspect of my life since birth. From the start, brownish spots appeared on my skin, growing larger and more numerous as I grew older. At five, fibromas began appearing all over my body, increasing each year. An MRI revealed a diffuse glioma affecting the chiasm and hypothalamus—an inoperable tumor that posed significant risks to my health and future. At nine years old, I started a challenging three-year course of chemotherapy. The treatment was tough, forcing me to switch from traditional schooling to homeschooling and to give up activities I loved, such as swimming, ballroom dancing, and theater. The side effects were harsh, and the isolation was intense. Despite these challenges, I refused to let my illness define me. I focused on my studies, maintained excellent grades, and held onto hope for a brighter future. Education became my safe haven and source of strength. Learning helped me feel in control when many things were out of my hands. It wasn’t just about schoolwork; it was about proving to myself that I could overcome obstacles. My dedication to education gave me purpose and kept me grounded during those challenging times. My motivation to pursue higher education comes from a deep desire to help others. The doctors and nurses who cared for me were more than medical professionals—they were sources of hope and inspiration. Their kindness and dedication inspired me to become a doctor myself. I plan to specialize in pediatric oncology to assist children facing serious illnesses. Having experienced similar challenges, I understand their fears and worries. I want to provide them with medical care, support, and understanding. I believe I am a strong candidate for the Dylan’s Journey Memorial Scholarship because my experiences closely align with Dylan’s legacy of perseverance and passion for education despite facing significant challenges. Like Dylan, I have faced obstacles that could have stopped my ambitions, but I chose to turn these hardships into motivation for my dreams. My journey has helped me develop resilience and empathy, which I believe are essential qualities for a medical professional. Receiving this scholarship would not only help reduce the financial burdens of medical school, but it would also allow me to carry forward Dylan’s message of hope, determination, and the belief that a diagnosis doesn’t have to stop someone from achieving their dreams. By supporting my education, you are investing in a future where I can impact many lives, offering healing and hope to children and families dealing with serious health conditions. In conclusion, living with NF1 has been a journey filled with challenges that I have met with unwavering determination. Each obstacle has strengthened my commitment to my goals and deepened my empathy for others facing similar struggles. I am eager to continue my education and ultimately serve as a compassionate doctor and advocate. The Dylan’s Journey Memorial Scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals, allowing me to honor Dylan’s memory by dedicating my life to helping others overcome their own challenges with courage and hope.

When I was younger, I was diagnosed with NF1. My mother has it and passed it on to me but her parents don't have it. Throughout elementary school, I was in a speech therapy class but that didn't affect my ability to learn. I also had to get surgery twice for my limb length discrepancy, did that stop me from learning like any other student NO! I get asked all the time "What's that thing on your arm?" or "What's that lump?" I respond with "It's a neurofibroma, it's harmless. I have it because of my genetic disorder neurofibromatosis". Some people think it's weird while others think it's cool. I remember some of the things the "Make-A-Wish®️ Foundation" did for me. I remember I said, "Give my wish to someone else". They thought it was cute but I didn't know how it was run back when I was younger, so they asked if Disneyworld was fine and I said yes. As of the second full week in January of 2011 that has been the one and only time I went to Disney. The other smaller thing they did for me was send me to my first Pittsburgh Penguins game, they versed the Arizona Coyotes and won. It has been so long I can recall when it was and the score of the game. I always strive to be the best student I can be. I joined my school "Performing Arts Club" just for fun and to have more things to do throughout school to make my time worthwhile. After that first show of "Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella" I knew that musical theatre was my thing. I don't think a lot of people know I have it but if they do I just want to prove that disabilities don't disable dreams from coming true. I don't want to sound like a braggart but I'm always one of the first to be completely off script. Outside the classroom, I am an Eagle Scout. The rank of " Eagle Scout" in Boy Scouts is the highest rank attainable. I was accepted to attend PennWest California University in Fall 2023 where I am majoring in musical theatre. I had the chance to perform with them in November 2022 because they held community casting for a musical and I auditioned and later that day I received a call that same day offering me some roles. As of 2019, I have been in 4 musicals and 2 plays, 5 musicals if you count the one we started practicing for. Year after year I am filled with delight reading the compliments my director says about me and how I slide into and out of roles. I am truly set on my career goal. In addition to making sure I succeed, I offer assistance to classmates who may be in the need of a hand. I test my ability to do new experiences. I don't let my Neurofibromatosis get in the way of my path to a happy, successful life. This scholarship is one of the only things that mention a genetic disorder I have. Being a fellow person that has NF, I would feel honored to be awarded this scholarship in memory of Dylan.

You often associate a person's outward appearance with their health. If they look similar to others, we tend to assume they are fine. I learned that this often isn't the case. The first time I heard I might have NF was after an eye appointment. I was confused and wondered, "why me?" When I was officially diagnosed with NF type 1 in eighth grade, it was an enormous shock to my family and me. Certain aspects of life started to come together after my diagnosis, like my numerous cafe au lait spots, lisch nodules in both eyes, my speech delay as a young child, and the bullying because of my height. It was even harder to hear that my children have a 50/50 chance of inheriting NF. I don't want to take the risk of passing on NF, so I've decided to foster children and teens instead. Since then, I have developed hypothyroidism and neurofibromas. I manage my hypothyroidism by taking medication. It is always a bit alarming at first when I discover another neurofibroma on my body. My mom reminds me that it's normal for me and to monitor them. I will likely develop hypertension due to my family history and NF. I still don't know what the future holds for me with having NF, but I take one day at a time because that's all I can do. I wasn't going to let having NF stop me from pursuing my dreams. I was in 5th grade when I knew I wanted to be a nurse. After listening to a missionary nurse in church one Sunday, I knew that was my calling. I find the human body fascinating and how everything depends on each other. A few years after my diagnosis, anatomy and genetics became more real to me. I found it unreal how one slight change can have a tremendous impact on a person. I want to make a difference in others' lives. In the Fall of 2022, I am attending Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I am going to major in nursing. While I live there, I plan on participating in the symphonic band, choir, and worship band. After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I want to join a missionary outlook program in a third-world country. It can be hard to find people with NF due to it being rare. I sometimes feel I will never find someone with NF. When I discovered this scholarship, I felt relief knowing that I'm not alone. I would feel honored to receive this scholarship in Dylan's honor as someone with NF.