“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace” Unknown Author Life Planted Me-the past: I was awakened by my mother who was suffering another painful attack. These attacks are now becoming more frequent. You see, my mother has Sickle Cell Anemia. A disease that that affects over 90,000 Americans. This disease occurs in 1 out of 500 African Americans. This disease is hardly ever mentioned. It is often looked over due to the people who are most affected by the disease. My mother stated that she was on her way to the hospital, and I had to "lock it down." When I hear "lock it down" I know I am responsible for the household. I make sure she catches her ride to the hospital. My mother’s hospital stay may last from 2 days to 3 weeks. This is very stressful because I know when my mother goes to the hospital she is met with criticism and skepticism. Many doctors do not understand the role that stress plays in being admitted. There is a stigma related to patients with Sickle Cell Anemia. She is fighting her battle not to be known as a drug seeker and I, at this time, must become responsible for myself. I must get myself to school, cook, clean, and take care of myself. This is my life. I could complain but I play the cards that were dealt to me. I know that my mother needs me to be responsible. Blooming with grace-the present: I am now a student attending Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I am a member of the college choir and the Feature Twirler for the Wake Forest Marching Band. I volunteer selflessly with the Sickle Cell Foundation and Be the Match Foundation with hopes that no one’s parent will have to suffer like my mom and other people of color. As a family, it has been difficult for both me and my mother because we were so interdependent on each other. I had taken on the role of healthcare giver and she as patient. Since my coming to Wake Forest University, we both are in the middle of a growing season. We are both finding ourselves and blooming with grace. This scholarship is especially important. I work full time but I have still have an unmet financial need. I will use these funds to further my education to become a doctor in hopes of eradicating Sickle Cell Anemia through research and advocating.

“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace” Unknown Author Life Planted Me-the past: I was awakened by my mother who was suffering another painful attack. These attacks are now becoming more frequent. You see, my mother has Sickle Cell Anemia. A disease that that affects over 90,000 Americans. This disease occurs in 1 out of 500 African Americans. My mother stated that she was on her way to the hospital, and I had to "lock it down." When I hear "lock it down" I know I am responsible for the household. I make sure she catches her ride to the hospital. My mother’s hospital stay may last from 2 days to 3 weeks. This is very stressful because I know when my mother goes to the hospital she is met with criticism and skepticism. Many doctors do not understand the role that stress plays in being admitted. There is a stigma related to patients with Sickle Cell Anemia. She is fighting her battle not to be known as a drug seeker and I, at this time, must become responsible for myself. I must get myself to school, cook, clean, and take care of myself. This is my life. I could complain but I play the cards that were dealt to me. I know that my mother needs me to be responsible because her health is not stable and I do not want her to worry. Blooming with grace-the present: I am now a student attending Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I am a member of the college choir and the Feature Twirler for the Wake Forest Marching Band. I volunteer selflessly with the Sickle Cell Foundation and Be the Match Foundation with hopes that no one’s parent will have to suffer like my mom and other people of color. As a family, it has been difficult for both me and my mother because we were so interdependent on each other. I had taken on the role of healthcare giver and she as patient. Since my coming to Wake Forest University, both, my mom and myself, are in the middle of a growing season. We are both finding ourselves and blooming with grace. This scholarship is especially important. I will use these funds to further my education to become a doctor and or researcher in hopes of eradicating Sickle Cell Anemia. It is so important to have people who look like myself and my mom to help in this fight.

“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace” Unknown Author Life Planted Me: I was awakened by my mother who was suffering another painful attack. These attacks are now becoming more frequent. You see, my mother has Sickle Cell Anemia. A disease that that affects over 90,000 Americans. This disease occurs in 1 out of 500 African Americans. My mother stated that she was on her way to the hospital, and I had to "lock it down." When I hear "lock it down" I know I am responsible for the household. I make sure she catches her ride to the hospital. My mother’s hospital stay may last from 2 days to 3 weeks. I, at this time, must become responsible for myself. I must get myself to school, cook, clean, and take care of myself. This is my life. I could complain but I play the cards that were dealt to me. I know that my mother needs me to be responsible. Blooming with Grace: I am now a student attending Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I am a member of the college choir and a Feature Twirler for the Wake Forest Marching Band. I volunteer selflessly with the Sickle Cell Foundation and Be the Match Foundation with hopes that no one’s parent will have to suffer like my mom and other people of color. As a family, it has been difficult for both me and my mother because we were so interdependent on each other. I had taken on the role of healthcare giver and she as patient. Since my coming to Wake Forest University, we both are in the middle of a growing season. We are both finding ourselves and blooming with grace. This scholarship is especially important. I will use these funds to further my education to become a doctor in hopes of eradicating Sickle Cell Anemia.