I’ve struggled with chronic illnesses and constant hospitalizations for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my life was filled with doctors’ appointments, treatments, and long hospital stays. These experiences were challenging, but they shaped me into the person I am today. Being surrounded by healthcare professionals gave me a deep appreciation for the work they do, but for many years, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my own future. For most of high school, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. I’ve always been interested in creativity and communication, so it seemed like a good fit. However, as I moved through my senior year, I began to feel uncertain. While marketing was interesting, I started to question whether it would truly be fulfilling for me. I’ve always had a passion for working with children, and I wanted to do something that would make a real, meaningful difference in people’s lives. That was when I began to really explore my options and think seriously about what path I wanted to take. During my sophomore year, I experienced a very difficult time in my life and had to go through physical therapy. It was an emotional and challenging experience, but the therapists I worked with helped me tremendously. They didn’t just help me physically—they provided encouragement and support that kept me grounded. Their compassion and dedication left a lasting impression on me, and for the first time, I began to think about a career in the healthcare field. Initially, I considered physical therapy, but one day at work, my manager and I were discussing my future plans, and he mentioned occupational therapy. He explained that while physical therapy focuses on improving movement and strength, occupational therapy helps people, especially children, develop the skills they need for everyday life. His description immediately caught my attention, so I decided to do some research. The more I learned about occupational therapy, the more it resonated with me. It seemed to combine all of my passions—helping children, making a direct impact on people’s lives, and supporting individuals as they overcome challenges. I realized this was exactly what I had been looking for. One moment that truly solidified my decision came from an unexpected source: a baby I saw on TikTok named Maverick. Maverick has a rare condition called Campomelic Dysplasia, which causes significant developmental delays. Despite his challenges, he radiates joy and determination. Watching his journey and seeing the incredible progress he made with the help of his care team inspired me deeply. It reminded me how powerful it is to support someone in reaching both big and small milestones. My experiences with chronic illness have taught me empathy, resilience, and the value of having people who believe in you. Occupational therapy brings all of these lessons together, and I am excited to dedicate my career to helping children and families thrive, one milestone at a time.

I plan to achieve my goals by first completing my undergraduate degree and then pursuing a graduate program that will qualify me to become a licensed occupational therapist. This path is essential because it will provide me with the knowledge, training, and skills necessary to help others especially children develop of basic life skills they need to thrive in daily life.i I have always loved helping people and been passionate about working with childre. Over time, I discovered that occupational therapy combines these two passions. Occupational therapists play a vital role in the developmental challenges. Children, in particular, can benefit tremendously from occupational therapy when they struggle with everyday tasks such as writing, feeding themselves, tying their shoes, or interacting socially. My goal is to work with these children and their families to help them build independence in their daily lives. To prepare myself for this career, I am fully committed to succeeding in my undergraduate studies. I understand that becoming an occupational therapist requires strong academic performance, particularly in the sciences, as well as a solid foundation in psychology, anatomy, and human development. I plan to take advantage of every opportunity available during my undergraduate years to gain hands-on experience, including internships, volunteer work, and job shadowing with licensed therapists. These experiences will help me build practical skills and deepen my understanding of the occupational therapy field. After earning my undergraduate degree, my next step will be to enroll in a doctorate program in occupational therapy. I am aware that graduate programs are rigorous and competitive, but I am ready to rise to the challenge. In graduate school, I look forward to completing both classroom coursework that will allow me to apply my knowledge in real world settings. Working directly with patients under the supervision of experienced therapists will give me a better understanding of how to treat a wide range of conditions and help individuals improve their quality of life. Ultimately, my long-term goal is to specialize in pediatric occupational therapy. I want to work in hospitals and private clinics where I can provide support to children with developmental delays, physical disabilities, or sensory processing disorders. I believe that helping children learn or regain basic life skills is one of the most meaningful and rewarding things a person can do. Watching a child become more confident, independent, and happy as a result of therapy is what motivates me to pursue this career path.

I want to become an occupational therapist because I have a strong passion for helping others, especially children with disabilities. Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and occupational therapy is a career that would allow me to do just that. My dream is to work with children who face physical, emotional, or developmental challenges and help them develop the skills they need to live more independent and fulfilling lives. I want to help kids learn how to walk, feed themselves, dress, and perform other daily tasks that many people take for granted. Helping children achieve these milestones would be incredibly rewarding, and I am determined to be someone who supports and empowers them every step of the way. To reach this goal, I will need to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy, which typically takes about six years of higher education. This path requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment—qualities that I believe I have. I know it won't be easy, but I am fully prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed. I am motivated not just by my career goals, but also by my desire to make a real impact in the world and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. I’ve already started preparing by researching programs, volunteering, and learning more about the field whenever I can. I want to work in schools, hospitals, and clinics to support children from all backgrounds. However, one of the biggest challenges I face is financial. My mom is a single parent, and she works very hard to support our family, but we simply don’t have the resources to cover the cost of college and graduate school. Paying for six years of education is a huge burden, and without financial assistance, attending college would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for me. That is why this scholarship would mean so much to me and my family. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial pressure but also bring me one step closer to achieving my dream. It would allow me to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about how I’m going to pay for school. I am determined to use my education to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities, and with your support, I will be able to turn that dream into a reality. I will give back to my community and inspire others to pursue their goals, no matter the obstacles.

I am 17 years old, and I have been chronically ill for my entire life. I have cyclic neutropenia, lupus, Tourette’s, and POTS. It has been a very long and hard journey navigating school, friends, work, extra curriculars, and my health all at once. This experience has shaped me in countless ways, particularly when it comes to my desire to help others. From a young age, I have wanted to dedicate my life to supporting people, providing them with the resources they need to thrive. I know firsthand how isolating and disheartening it can feel to believe there’s no hope left for your medical circumstances. That feeling of helplessness is something I wish no one else had to endure, and it drives my passion to ease that burden for others. My ultimate goal is to help people live better, more fulfilling lives, despite the challenges they may face. Chronic illness has taught me the importance of resilience, hope, and community. It’s also shown me how critical it is to have support from people who truly care. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have people in my corner who reminded me that brighter days are possible, even when I struggled to see it myself. That support has made an incredible difference in my life, and I want to be that source of light and encouragement for others. One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in my medical journey has been working with physical therapists. While it wasn’t always easy, there were times when the sessions were incredibly difficult, both physically and emotionally my physical therapists played a crucial role in my recovery and overall well being. They always went out of their way to keep me motivated and in good spirits, even when the circumstances were tough. Their kindness, patience, and dedication left a lasting impression on me, and I hold a special place in my heart for them. Their influence has inspired me to consider a career in physical therapy or a related field, where I can work directly with individuals facing medical challenges. I want to be someone who makes a difference in their lives, just as my physical therapists did for me. By combining my personal experiences with my passion for helping others, I hope to create meaningful change and remind people that, no matter how challenging their situation may seem, there is always a reason to hold onto hope.