Sandra West ALS Foundation Scholarship

ALS entered my life in June 2025, when my father was diagnosed with progressive bulbar ALS, the same disease that took his aunt years earlier. Knowing his prognosis has forced me to confront how fragile time is and sharpened my focus on what matters most: family, friends, mentors, and the opportunities I have right now. Instead of letting fear define me, ALS has pushed me to become more intentional, resilient, and determined to turn my education and leadership into something that makes a difference. I am an accounting major and Division I college athlete with a 3.9 cumulative GPA. Balancing a demanding sport with a rigorous major has always required discipline, but my path became even more challenging when I tore my ACL during freshman year. I chose to fight back through months of rehab, returned stronger, and earned the role of co-captain for my team as I enter my senior year. That experience taught me how to lead under pressure, support teammates through adversity, and stay focused on long-term goals when circumstances feel overwhelming—skills I now rely on as my family faces ALS. Financially, ALS has changed everything for us. In the last year, my family has had to manage mounting medical bills, increased care-related expenses, my college tuition, and everyday costs all at once. My dad’s diagnosis has affected our ability to plan for the future, and money that might have gone toward my education is now needed to support his care and quality of life. I work hard to maximize scholarships, internships, and academic opportunities, but there is still a real gap between what we can cover and the true cost of my education. A scholarship would directly relieve that burden, allowing my family to prioritize my father’s medical needs without sacrificing my ability to complete my degree. I am not just asking for support. I am committed to using your support to create impact. At my dad’s urging, I secured a summer internship, and I have now completed two, earning a full-time job offer after graduation. In each role, I have tried to be more than “just an intern” by taking initiative, contributing meaningful work, and building relationships that reflect my character and work ethic. On campus and on my team, I lead by example—showing up prepared, encouraging others, and modeling how to respond when life feels unfair. Beyond school and work, my family and I are determined to help other ALS families. My sister and I are organizing an ALS awareness and fundraising event in Columbia, South Carolina, partnering with the ALS community to promote education and support research. My mother is working to engage legislative officials and advocate for better policies and resources for ALS patients and caregivers. Through these efforts, I am learning how to bring people together around a cause, communicate clearly, and turn personal hardship into collective action. This scholarship would do more than pay bills. It would be an investment in a student-leader who has already demonstrated resilience, academic excellence, and a commitment to serving others. It would help me finish my degree, step confidently into my full-time role after graduation, and continue growing as an advocate and leader for families affected by ALS. Most of all, it would allow me to carry my father’s strength and values forward into every team I lead, every workplace I join, and every community I serve.

ALS is by far the worst thing to have happened to my family. It stole so much from us and took away my mom, Carrey Dewey. She was an angel even on earth but I know she is MY angel, forever watching over me. Losing her was excruciating, but watching ALS take over every aspect of her life, of our lives, was an indescribable feeling. Her journey with ALS has forever changed me. It changed me as a person, as a friend, and as a daughter. Most importantly, it changed my everyday life. I no longer have the person who brought me into this world by my side. I can't run to my mom when I need advice or somebody to cry to. ALS took her from me before she got to watch me grow up. My mom adored her role as a mom. It was her biggest accomplishment. I’ve always wanted to make her proud because I know if she were here, she would push me to be the best version of myself. She would encourage me to work for what I want, play fair, forgive, and trust the Lord's plan. Since she passed away, I’ve been hoping to find one decent thing to come out of ALS. Although nothing will ever take away the heartache, I have found peace in helping people. For years, I took care of my mom and it has inspired me to continue taking care of people who can’t take care of themselves. I want to be a voice for those who can't speak. I want to be the hands for those who can’t use their own. I want to help people the same way everyone helped my mom. I am honored to have had her in my life for the time I did. I am forever grateful to be her daughter. She used to tell me, “Even when you can’t see me or hear me, I will always be with you in your heart.” And I truly believe that she is. She has continuously watched over me even through the toughest times. This scholarship would have a huge impact on my college education. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. Many nurses and caregivers stayed by my mom’s side and I want to be that person for somebody else. My dad has always done his best to support me and my sibling’s goals. While he can contribute to my college expenses, having scholarships is crucial. It would help ensure that my dad can send all of us to college and take away the financial strain that has been put on him.

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.