Rugby family is more than just a sports team of mates that you take the pitch with for a season, rugby family is a never-ending network of friends for life anywhere you go in the whole world. Being in rugby means you can visit a new city or country, look up the local club, show up to practice as you are with or without gear, and be welcomed with a smile. Rugby family doesn't care what color skin you have, where you're from, what you may identify as, or what body type you are. There is a position for everyone on the field and in our rugby family. Twice a week you can catch me at the local park football field setting up cones and coaching drills. Most saturday's are rugby days through the fall and spring and we travel for fun social tournaments all summer. You'll find me on the men's and women's sideline but beyond a leadership role I am also the team mom prepping food, running tees and water across the field, washing blood, mud and tears off faces, and taping ankles, wrists and ears before a game. It's not all bark as coach, it's about compassion and camaraderie to build a community where we spend birthdays and anniversaries together, we send and receive our mates on overseas military deployments, we celebrate babies being born and talk through the night when divorce strikes. Despite being involved with rugby for over 15 years, last year I ruptured my ACL and LCL in my knee during Cape Fear 7s, the opening tournament on the East Coast. I was whore'ing for a second team besides my normal club and we motley crew of rugby family friends came together in years past, kept in touch via Facebook messenger and showed up from New York, Alabama, Tennesee, Georgia, and both Carolina's to play rugby. I swung between both my club and this motley crew team throughout the day and ultimately blew my knee from a bad tackle in the open field in my 3rd game of the day... and in case you didn't know, an 8-man playing 7s is a glutton for punishment like this. As I collapsed and bellowed the loudest holler I've ever heard, my club teammates who were cheering on the motley crew team came to my aide, one was a nurse, and two of them were EMTs. They knew right away something was wrong as I am not one to cry in pain. They rolled me over, comforted me while I couldn't feel my leg, carried me off the field and rushed me to the ER. What is incredible about this is that those teammates had significant others playing the rest of the day and they stayed with me at the ER, drove me back to the hotel, helped me shower and change and got me out to the social on crutches and all. What is so amazing about this rugby family concept is that at the downtown tournament social, seemingly strangers would come up and talk to me about the day, ask how I was, and chat about rugby things. They were genuinely thrilled I was out and about post-injury. This sense of belonging helped me feel a part of something bigger than myself. Prior to this catastrophic injury, I was considering moving across the country but the rugby family community showed me a kind of love that I didn't know I needed. It ultimately showed me that I am valued and I belong just for being myself and that the rugby family is irreplaceable.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. I have enjoyed giving back to the community through involvement with a few military affiliated non-profits in my community. I have spent the last few years with Fayetteville Area Rugby Club serving on the Executive Board as the Women's Director and Coach to both men's and women's teams which are mostly comprised of military service members. I also volunteer with Man22 Suicide Awareness Run as the volunteer coordinator and the rugby team runs the water point and ground operations. I am an active member of the Veteran's Farm NC community giving back to veterans in agriculture. I regularly volunteer to assist service-disabled veterans with their labor-intensive farming activities and community outreach events. These military and first responder organizations are near and dear to my heart because they serve those that serve. The 1% of the population that chooses to serve quietly and professionally but are historically high risk for mental health concerns. Veteran mental health is an important social issue that I am trying to influence care for in my small community by giving back through fellowship in sports and farming. Twice a week you can catch me at the local park football field setting up cones and running drills. As Coach, I am a leader but I am also the team mom prepping food, washing blood and tears off the faces of my teammates, and team trainer taping ankles and wrists before a game. It's not all bark as coach, it's about compassion and camaraderie to build a community where we spend birthdays and anniversaries together, we send and receive our mates on overseas deployments, we celebrate babies being born and talk through the night when divorce strikes. This is how I can best give back to my veteran peers, by being myself in loving my military family through this crazy life experience and being available when dark times arise. We, as a team, volunteer with Man22 for their suicide awareness events throughout the year to offer manpower and camaraderie to help events run smoothly but also to be there for other veterans as we share stories of those we may have lost in combat service or to suicide. The sense of belonging is crucial for the veteran population as we served our country for the man to our left and right and those at home, to leave no man behind. Being on a team in the military and on the rugby pitch creates a friendship bond on the field and off and helps us reach out in times of need when we may otherwise feel misunderstood or feel stigma in seeking professional help. To feel heard and acknowledge that our history in service matters even when we may have felt a sense of failure in life or in losing a loved one can be the only shred of hope we have that talks someone off the ledge of suicide. I will always be available for my brothers and sisters in service and beyond as I transition into military life and meet more of us out there. Community saves lives and sports bring us together.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I have faced some major adversity physically and mentally through the last year while I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. While I was hospitalized in service, I had a total of 7 surgeries over 5 months and spent two and a half weeks in the hospital fighting for my life after sepsis and osteomyelitis (bone infection) took hold in my left knee due to the bacteria infecting my hardware and allograft following an ACL/LCL replacement. I had an interest in medicine before my injuries and was set to attend Special Operations Combat Medical training this year but I was injured before I was able to attend and have decided that nursing is more for me. While I was admitted in the hospital for two and a half weeks the most outstanding care memories I am so thankful for include the routine vitals bedside chats, wheelchair strolls outside for some sunshine, assisted crutch walks around the halls, help washing my hair while I was still restricted from a shower, and some holistic practices in helping my migraine after my 3rd surgery in 10 days. I appreciated everything that my nurses did for me but it was the 'extra mile' moments that inspired me to consider nursing after the Army as I began to accept my fate of being medically retired due to my surgical complications and unfit to continue duty in the way I once thought both physically and now including a mental aspect with new found anxiety for this transition from losing my stable Army career to jumping into a new field of work and going back to school as an adult learner. Some of the things I have done to overcome these challenges include getting a service dog to help me get around better with my continued knee instability. I've begun seeing a mental health counselor to work through the stress of transition but also the depression of a lost career. I am also spending more time with my horses and getting back outside now that I am more mobile without crutches. The reconnection with animals really help ground me when I'm anxious and always reminds me of things to be thankful for when the horses nicker a quick hello as I pull in the drive and the chickens come running across the yard to greet me. Now I am transitioning out of the Army and attending nursing school! I am genuinely looking forward to changing careers to do what it is I feel called to do, help people. Once my ADN is complete, I will become a travel nurse so I can have the flexibility to travel not just the United States but also abroad to serve in other ways. After completing the BSN and future NP program, I want to use my military experience in civil affairs and my education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas to bring relief to those who need it most in the most unexpected times of their lives. I strive to serve in the lowest levels of care to make a difference.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. I have enjoyed giving back to the community through involvement with Fayetteville Area Rugby Club while serving on the Executive Board as the Women's Director and Coach to both men's and women's teams as we compete across the Carolina's and Georgia. I also volunteer with Man22 Suicide Awareness Run as the volunteer coordinator during the event. In the Army, I was certified as a Basic Motorcycle Riding Instructor and trained Service Members and their families how to operate a motorcycle and conducted DMV testing for state licensure. I am an active member of the Veteran's Farm NC community giving back to veterans in agriculture. I regularly volunteer my time to assist disabled veterans with their farming needs and community events. In addition to my time serving on active duty and volunteer activities, I also operate a 'farm stay' short term rental sole proprietorship through Airbnb. I have been a super host through their platform while hosting 2-3 shared space accommodations in my home, essentially renting my spare bedrooms and sharing the living space during reservations. I have enjoyed this work because of the challenges to overcome in learning how to run a small business, financial planning and tracking expenses, budgeting, investments, and return on investment management and potential. I love the hospitality opportunities to meet and interact with guests from all walks of life visiting for a variety of reasons ranging from military, funerals, graduations, family, just traveling through, and travel nurses. When I am not working, attending school, or volunteering, I enjoy homesteading on my property taking care of my animals (horses, chickens, pigs, cows, and dogs) raising my own meat sources and eggs, gardening, riding and camping with my horses, playing rugby, rock climbing, and spending time with my family. I am changing careers and look forward to pursuing the Nursing program in order to complete the ADN and become a travel nurse. After completing the ADN program, I intend to apply to BSN program and take the required sciences coursework towards either Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant Master's program. After completing the BSN and future NP/PA program, I look forward to using my military experience and education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas. I feel that I can best contribute to the field of math and science as a medical practitioner utilizing both pharmaceutical math and medical sciences in my every day as a nurse but also influencing my patients in foreign and domestic disaster relief environments where there is a beautiful opportunity to reach out and educate those I am helping outside of the clinic and share my math and science skills with the local community through volunteer outreach programs.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. While I was hospitalized in service, I had a total of 7 surgeries over 5 months and spent two and a half weeks in the hospital fighting for my life after sepsis and osteomyelitis took hold in my left knee due to the bacteria, Enterobacter, infected my hardware and allograft following an ACL/PLC replacement. I had an interest in medicine before my injuries and was set to attend Special Operations Combat Medical training this year. I was injured before I was able to attend and have decided that nursing is more for me. The Orthopaedic nurses that I had attending before and post-operation were so kind and made me feel like family as soon as I stepped into the office. They routinely made me wound care packages and met me outside the clinic so I didn't have to crutch across the parking lot. As I progressively got sick with sepsis, they took my concerns seriously over the phone and ushered me straight back to be seen by my surgeon as soon as I arrived, one even parked my truck from the front door! My favorite Ortho nurse, Ms. Tia, sat with me as I wept during the evaluation and she did everything she could to keep me comfortable until she wheeled me up for pre-operative care to re-open my surgical site. While I was hospitalized, she regularly came to my room despite working in a clinic a few floors down just to chat and ensure I had anything I needed. My nurses comprised of Army medics, LPNs and RNs as well as civilian-military spouse LPNs and RNs. The most outstanding care memories I am so thankful for include the routine vitals bedside chats, wheelchair strolls outside for some sunshine, assisted crutch walks around the halls, help washing my hair while I was still restricted from a shower, and some holistic practices in helping my migraine after my 3rd surgery in 10 days. I appreciated everything that they did for me but it was the 'extra mile' moments that inspired me to consider nursing after the Army as I began to accept my fate of being medically retired due to my surgical complications and unfit to continue duty in the way I once thought. Now I am transitioning out of the Army and attending nursing school! I am genuinely looking forward to changing careers to do what it is I feel called to do, help people. Once my ADN is complete, I will become a travel nurse so I can have the flexibility to travel not just the United States but also abroad to serve in other ways. After completing the ADN program, I can continue my education toward a BSN and take the required sciences coursework toward a Nurse Practitioner program. After completing the BSN and future NP program, I wish to use my military experience in civil affairs and my education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas to bring relief to those who need it most in the most unexpected times of their lives. I strive to serve in the lowest levels of care to make a difference.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. While I was hospitalized in service, I had a total of 7 surgeries over 5 months and spent two and a half weeks in the hospital fighting for my life after sepsis and osteomyelitis took hold in my left knee due to the bacteria, Enterobacter, infected my hardware and allograft following an ACL/PLC replacement. I had an interest in medicine before my injuries and was set to attend Special Operations Combat Medical training this year. I was injured before I was able to attend and have decided that nursing is more for me. The Orthopaedic nurses that I had attending before and post-operation were so kind and made me feel like family as soon as I stepped into the office. They routinely made me wound care packages and met me outside the clinic so I didn't have to crutch across the parking lot. As I progressively got sick with sepsis, they took my concerns seriously over the phone and ushered me straight back to be seen by my surgeon as soon as I arrived, one even parked my truck from the front door! My favorite Ortho nurse, Ms. Tia, sat with me as I wept during the evaluation and she did everything she could to keep me comfortable until she wheeled me up for pre-operative care to re-open my surgical site. While I was hospitalized, she regularly came to my room despite working in a clinic a few floors down just to chat and ensure I had anything I needed. My nurses comprised of Army medics, LPNs and RNs as well as civilian-military spouse LPNs and RNs. The most outstanding care memories I am so thankful for include the routine vitals bedside chats, wheelchair strolls outside for some sunshine, assisted crutch walks around the halls, help washing my hair while I was still restricted from a shower, and some holistic practices in helping my migraine after my 3rd surgery in 10 days. I appreciated everything that they did for me but it was the 'extra mile' moments that inspired me to consider nursing after the Army as I began to accept my fate of being medically retired due to my surgical complications and unfit to continue duty in the way I once thought. Now I am transitioning out of the Army and attending nursing school! I am genuinely looking forward to changing careers to do what it is I feel called to do, help people. Once my ADN is complete, I will become a travel nurse so I can have the flexibility to travel not just the United States but also abroad to serve in other ways. After completing the ADN program, I can continue my education toward a BSN and take the required sciences coursework toward a Nurse Practitioner program. After completing the BSN and future NP program, I wish to use my military experience in civil affairs and my education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas to bring relief to those who need it most in the most unexpected times of their lives. I strive to serve in the lowest levels of care to make a difference.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. While I was hospitalized in service, I had a total of 7 surgeries over 5 months and spent two and a half weeks in the hospital fighting for my life after sepsis and osteomyelitis took hold in my left knee due to the bacteria, Enterobacter, infected my hardware and alograft following an ACL/PLC replacement. I had an interest in medicine before my injuries and was set to attend Special Operations Combat Medical training this year. I was injured before I was able to attend and have decided that nursing is more for me. The Orthopaedic nurses that I had attending before and post-operation were so kind and made me feel like family as soon as I stepped into the office. They routinely made me wound care packages and met me outside the clinic so I didn't have to crutch across the parking lot. As I progressively got sick with sepsis, they took my concerns seriously over the phone and ushered me straight back to be seen by my surgeon as soon as I arrived, one even parked my truck from the front door! My favorite Ortho nurse, Ms. Tia, sat with me as I wept during the evaluation and she did everything she could to keep me comfortable until she wheeled me up for pre-operative care to re-open my surgical site. While I was hospitalized, she regularly came to my room despite working in a clinic a few floors down just to chat and ensure I had anything I needed. My nurses comprised of Army medics, LPNs and RNs as well as civilian-military spouse LPNs and RNs. The most outstanding care memories I am so thankful for include the routine vitals bedside chats, wheelchair strolls outside for some sunshine, assisted crutch walks around the halls, help washing my hair while I was still restricted from a shower, and some holistic practices in helping my migraine after my 3rd surgery in 10 days. I appreciated everything that they did for me but it was the 'extra mile' moments that inspired me to consider nursing after the Army as I began to accept my fate in being medically retired due to my surgical complications and unfit to continue duty in the way I once thought. Now I am transitioning out of the Army and attending nursing school! I am genuinely looking forward to changing careers to do what it is I feel called to do, help people. Once my ADN is complete, I will become a travel nurse so I can have the flexibility to travel not just the United States but also abroad to serve in other ways. After completing the ADN program, I can continue my education toward a BSN and take the required sciences coursework toward a Nurse Practitioner program. After completing the BSN and future NP program, I wish to use my military experience in civil affairs and my education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas to bring relief to those who need it most in the most unexpected times of their lives. I strive to serve in the lowest levels of care to make a difference.

I have served in the Army for the past 12 and a half years as an Intelligence professional and Civil Affairs Specialist. I was injured during service and am now looking at pursuing my dreams in the medical field. While I was hospitalized in service, I had a total of 7 surgeries over 5 months and spent two and a half weeks in the hospital fighting for my life after sepsis and osteomyelitis took hold in my left knee due to the bacteria, Enterobacter, infected my hardware and alograft following an ACL/PLC replacement. I had an interest in medicine before my injuries and was set to attend Special Operations Combat Medical training this year. I was injured before I was able to attend and have decided that nursing is more for me. The Orthopaedic nurses that I had attending before and post-operation were so kind and made me feel like family as soon as I stepped into the office. They routinely made me wound care packages and met me outside the clinic so I didn't have to crutch across the parking lot. As I progressively got sick with sepsis, they took my concerns seriously over the phone and ushered me straight back to be seen by my surgeon as soon as I arrived, one even parked my truck from the front door! My favorite Ortho nurse, Ms. Tia, sat with me as I wept during the evaluation and she did everything she could to keep me comfortable until she wheeled me up for pre-operative care to re-open my surgical site. While I was hospitalized, she regularly came to my room despite working in a clinic a few floors down just to chat and ensure I had anything I needed. My nurses comprised of Army medics, LPNs and RNs as well as civilian-military spouse LPNs and RNs. The most outstanding care memories I am so thankful for include the routine vitals bedside chats, wheelchair strolls outside for some sunshine, assisted crutch walks around the halls, help washing my hair while I was still restricted from a shower, and some holistic practices in helping my migraine after my 3rd surgery in 10 days. I appreciated everything that they did for me but it was the 'extra mile' moments that inspired me to consider nursing after the Army as I began to accept my fate in being medically retired due to my surgical complications and unfit to continue duty in the way I once thought. Now I am transitioning out of the Army and attending nursing school! I am genuinely looking forward to changing careers to do what it is I feel called to do, help people. Once my ADN is complete, I will become a travel nurse so I can have the flexibility to travel not just the United States but also abroad to serve in other ways. After completing the ADN program, I can continue my education toward a BSN and take the required sciences coursework toward a Nurse Practitioner program. After completing the BSN and future NP program, I wish to use my military experience in civil affairs and my education in medicine to work with humanitarian aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, Doctors Without Borders, and Veteran's Affairs. My main career goal is to practice field medicine on the ground during natural disasters in the US and travel abroad to foreign disaster relief areas to bring relief to those who need it most in the most unexpected times of their lives. I strive to serve in the lowest levels of care to make a difference.