For the past 13 years, ALS has been my family's normal. In the fall of 2009, my father was lifting me out of my car seat when he noticed weakness in his arm. He was diagnosed with ALS the following June. As a four-year-old, I didn’t have expectations for what life should be like so I didn't think much of it. I just knew that as I grew older and stronger, my dad got weaker. My dad’s ALS progressed slower than the average 3-5 year life expectancy. He could still walk on my 8th birthday. We had a bowling party. He couldn't lift the ball like the rest of us, but he could participate by using a bowling ball ramp. The following year, he lost leg function and needed a power wheelchair. Even though he was in a wheelchair for much of my childhood, he was able to participate in family activities like going to hockey games together and attending my music recitals. By 2015, my dad needed 24-hour care. My mom took on all of it- helping him, advocating for medical equipment, and still taking care of me and my brother. After two years of working around the clock, she was exhausted. She needed to sleep at night so she could care for him during the day. My brother and I needed to sleep so we could go to school. We had to fundraise to hire night-time caregivers. Each year this costs an overwhelming $46,000. When I was 13 years old, I discovered my passion for dance. I started learning dance later than the rest of my peers, but I worked hard to catch up. The dance studio has been a place of normalcy and stability. I got to experience things that I would not have been able to do in an ALS family, like traveling to competitions with my team. Dance provides an emotional outlet for me where I’m free to express myself. When I’m dancing, the only thing going through my head is my performance. I’m grateful to have such a magical art form in my life. By the time I was 16, my dad’s lung function declined to the point where he needed a non-invasive ventilator. I learned how to push on his chest to give an assisted cough in case of emergency. When home alone with him, I always have my phone with me to be on call if he needs an adjustment or a drink. His neck is too weak to go out, and he doesn’t like to be in public with his ventilator, so my mom takes videos of my dance performances so he can watch them. Even though my dad can’t do a lot of things, he encourages me in my passion for dance and performance. My mom can’t work because she needs to be at home to take care of my dad- often needing to clear his lungs in emergencies. Insurance doesn’t cover the numerous expenses we have such as nighttime care or his accessible van. Because of these expenses, my parents haven’t been able to save for college. This scholarship would help me pursue my dream to study dance and musical theater at Northern Michigan University. The stage is a place where I can truly express myself and let go of the stress of life while inspiring others and bringing joy to their lives. I want to have a career in dance and go on to share my passion through becoming a dance teacher. I love dance and the beauty it brings, even when life is hard.