I will never forget the day my neuropsychologist told me that I was not “dumb,” but that my brain was simply rewiring itself after my strokes. That one sentence changed how I saw myself and gave me hope that recovery was possible. It also sparked my interest in studying the brain, which has become my greatest educational goal.
My goal is to earn a Ph.D in Neuroscience or Neuropsychology. I became interested in studying the brain because of my own experiences. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after having multiple strokes while waiting for my heart transplant. During my recovery, I worked closely with a neuropsychologist who was instrumental in helping me understand how my brain had been affected. She explained what was happening inside my brain and showed me strategies that made learning and daily tasks easier. Her support and encouragement motivated me to want to do the same for others. I want to help people recover from strokes or other brain injuries and through research, contribute to preventing or reducing their effects in the future.
Although I love school, it has not always been easy. Reading is difficult for me, so I have adapted by becoming more of an auditory learner. I rely on technology to have the computer read text aloud, and my teachers provide accommodations such as extra time and enlarged print. These tools allow me to continue learning at a high level. Over time, I have learned how to advocate for myself , ask for what I need, and communicate openly with my teachers. These skills have been essential to my success and have also taught me how to be resilient and flexible in the face of challenges.
Another important step has been working with my service dog, who supports me in daily life. Because my strokes revealed my autism, I sometimes get overwhelmed easily. Before, when that happened, I would call my mom to calm me down and help me reset. Now, my dog grounds me in those moments, and I have not had to call her once. This change has been life-changing for both of us. Having my service dog by my side allows me to stay calm, present and handle challenges on my own. This is one of the clearest examples of what independence means to me: finding ways to manage difficulties without relying on others, while still knowing I am supported.
My education will not only prepare me for a meaningful career but also sustain my independence. A Ph.D in Neuroscience or Neuropsychology will give me the knowledge and training to make a difference in the lives of others through clinical work and research. It will also provide me with the tools I need to be self-sufficient. Having a stable career where I can use my experiences to guide and inspire others will allow me to live independently and contribute to society in a meaningful way.
Pursuing this path combines my personal journey, my passion for understanding the brain, and my determination to live fully and independently. I want to show others who face challenges like mine that recovery and success are possible, and I believe that with this education, I will be able to make that vision a reality.
I wanted to have my hands dirty since I was a little kid—to repair things, make something every day, and construct things. That is why I chose to make welding my vocation and educational goal. Welding isn't all sparks and steel—it's about constructing strength, working with precision, and taking pride in making something that will last forever. It provides me with guidance and the ability to be part of a world that mostly disregards people like me.
Living with a disability hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced physical challenges, learning difficulties, and moments of deep frustration where it felt like giving up would be easier than pushing forward. In school, I’ve had to work harder than most to keep up. Sometimes that meant extra time on tests, other times it meant battling anxiety that came with being misunderstood or underestimated. But despite these obstacles, I’ve never stopped believing in my future. In fact, my disability has taught me one of the most valuable lessons—how to adapt, persevere, and find a different way forward when the path isn’t clear.
This mindset is exactly why welding speaks to me. Welding takes patience, problem-solving, and a hands-on approach—things I’ve learned to rely on in my everyday life. By taking technical courses and doing practice, I realized that I have the motivation and commitment to excel as a professional in this field. My agenda is to attend a technical school or welding school, get certified, and acquire a career where I am able to sustain myself by doing something that I like.
For me, independence does not just mean living alone or paying bills for myself. It’s about being able to take control of my life—physically, financially, and emotionally. It means not being limited by my disability or having to constantly rely on others. It’s about having the skills and confidence to stand on my own, even when things get tough. Welding will give me the opportunity to earn a stable income, support myself, and have pride in my work. That’s the kind of independence I’ve been fighting for all along.
This training and education will make doors I once thought were closed to me open. I will, as a welder, be empowered to build a life of my own making—one in which I'm not just surviving, but succeeding. I want to be an example for others with disabilities who have been told about all they "can't" do. I want to show that determination, hard work, and a passion for learning are more powerful than any barrier.
Finally, this is not just a journey about a job. It's about building a future I can be proud of. With the right education and guidance, I believe that I have the potential to create a life of independence, purpose, and strength—for myself, and for others who are walking a similar path.
Currently, I am attending a university pursuing a Pre-Medicine major to become a Neurologist in the future. I chose this educational goal because I want to help people and use my skills of knowledge in the medical field to an advantage. I intend to use my education to cure chronic pain or learn how to manage it without it being damaging to the human body. I don’t like seeing anyone in chronic pain, it breaks my heart. I know about the effects of chronic pain from personal experience. My mother, who has back problems due to a birth defect causing excruciating pain, is a good example. I hated seeing her in pain, and even the medication she takes doesn’t take away all the pain. As a result of seeing my own mother struggling, that’s when I wanted to find a way to help cure chronic pain, not only for her but for other people.
The disability I have is not physical, it’s a mental disability. I am on the autism spectrum, I cannot read people’s body language nor do I know how to socialize properly with people. As a result of being on the spectrum, I’m considered to not to be “normal” by human standards. This leads to people treating us very badly when all we want in education system is to be accepted and aided if needed. In the educational world I cannot say “I’m on the spectrum” otherwise people will abandon you, I have to hide it out of fear of people taking away what I worked so hard for.
On the good part of being on the spectrum, it has helped me reach academic goals. I have a good memory and particularly really good at anything with science. As a result of having those traits because of being on the spectrum it has aided me into reaching my goals. I went to State FFA contests six times, I got third place out of two-hundred and thirty five people at State FFA Wildlife my senior year of high school, and I got a 3.5 GPA in high school which aided me into getting into college. From what I learned from those experiences, having ASD can be an absolute advantage when it comes to getting an education!
Another thought people have is that those who are mentally disabled need to be dependent on someone in order to do their jobs or get an education. This is completely false, we can definitely be independent. Independence means you don’t need to rely on anyone to tell you what to do or forcefully motivate you to do something. Through determination, self-discipline, and knowledge you can reach your goals (whether you’re disabled or not) in high school and college. As long as I have those three characteristics, it will benefit me while I continue to get through college.
The education that I am working on to get a degree on will help promote and sustain my ability to live independently. I’ll be proving myself everyday how I can make it through life without having to depend on anyone. Finally, the medical field shows and teaches you that you absolutely can do things and live independently. Sometimes as a physician you might need to work on patients by yourself. It kind of the same concept when it comes to living alone, you need to learn how to live on your own and how to function on your own. It’s an important lesson to learn, do not use a disability as a crutch throughout life.
