Sandra West ALS Foundation Scholarship

Saying I have been through trying times is a huge understatement. You see, my father was diagnosed with ALS 7.5 years ago. My dad has always been the one person on Earth I am closest to. When I was younger, he tried shielding me from how sick he was and how sick he would become. In our society, where technology is so readily available, it did not take long for me to discover the average lifespan for someone with ALS is 2-5 years. I do not think most kids have to live knowing their father will likely not be there when they graduate from high school. We start thinking about our wedding day as little girls. Unlike my peers though, I in high school often thought about how my dad would not be there to walk me down the isle. In addition to looking to the future, I have had to deal with the present. My dad is the most outgoing and athletic man I have ever known. Thanks to his influence, I am a runner. We used to run together almost every day. Ove time though, he has lost the ability to speak, use his arms and hands, dress himself, feed himself, sleep without assistance from a breathing machine, or walk without fear of falling and hitting his head. So yes, my experiences have definitely affected the way I see the world. They have at times made me angry and sad. I am ashamed to have at times hoped and prayed for a normal life. While I try helping him with feedings, getting dressed, and other things he needs, the truth of the matter though is that he helps me more than I help him. He has done that by somehow always staying positive and demonstrating a strong faith. He has taught me life does not always work out like you planned, but you have to focus on and celebrate the blessings in your life rather than allowing yourself to be drowned by the negative things experienced in life. If I am ever blessed to have a son, there is little doubt he will share my father’s name of David. Despite the cards life deals me, I hope to have a similar perspective on life and hope to teach him how to navigate it much the way my dad taught me. In regards to my educational future, I plan on majoring in Biology before moving on to study Physical Therapy at MUSC. My dad’s influence of physical activity certainly played a role in that decision. More so though is the indirect influence of watching his body decline. I saw how much physical therapy helped him I want to myself help once strong / healthy people regain some mobility, pride, and quality of life. When diagnosed with a terminal illnesses like ALS, you think about what is going to happen to your body, not being there for important moments, and death. What you do not initially think about is the negative financial impact it will have on your family. Truth is, my family currently spends over $20,000 a year on uncovered medical expenses to include medicine, hospital stays, medical appointments, equipment, tube feedings, etc. Very soon, my mom will be forced to hire and figure out how to pay for someone to sit with and care for my dad while she is at work. Figuring out how to pay for both medical expenses and college tuition is a huge stressor in my family. It is for those reasons that I thank you for your consideration of me for this scholarship.