My congenital heart defect has impacted many aspects of my life, in a series in different ways. At 3 months old, I had my open heart surgery to repair my heart defect; Tetralogy of Fallot. Throughout my entire life I had been deemed a "heart warrior" by family, and friends. I originally thought that being a heart warrior meant I overcame my open heart surgery, but it means so much more than that. Due to my surgery, I sense more of a purpose in life. I am grateful for the small things, and I value every life that I come across. I have become appreciative of the gift of life, but not just mine. The scar of my chest is a testament to how life is not guaranteed, and anything can happen. The chances of being born with a congenital heart defect in the United States is merely 1%. My congenital heart defect was not meant to be a curse, but an example of how anyone can beat the odds. The chances of having a heart defect is 1%, but I would not swap my 1% with anyone else in the world. My congenital heart defect has taught me that I can overcome any challenge, no matter how big or how small. It has taught me to be kind, because you never know what another human is going through. No one can see my scar unless it's revealed; similar to how no one can see another person's struggles just by looking at them. My heart defect has affected me by making me have much more compassion in my heart. I love helping others, and being there whenever I can for whoever I can. I have a strong sense of passion for my congenital heart defect itself. During junior year I was prompted to conduct a research paper with the question, "To what extent do congenital heart defects affect women's mental health from adolescence to adulthood?". While conducting this research paper, I learned that other women are impacted by the stereotypes made about people with congenital heart defects, and how people with these conditions are treated differently. I felt these test results on a personal level, and I made it my mission in life to ensure that every woman feels validated about their condition, and to make people suffering from CHDs feel comfortable in society. With that being said, I made it my hope to be a Cardiac Sonographer, and my dream to become a Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer. I want to be able to be there for women, and men who have a CHD- or any heart problems. I am excited to make such a big contribution to the CHD community, and help out my fellow heart warriors. All in all, Tetralogy of Fallot has made me more compassionate, understanding, caring, passion driven, and value the meaning of life more than just being knowledgeable of the scar on my chest. My scar is a blessing, and a message to myself every day to keep fighting, and that I am indeed a heart warrior in every single way.