I was 11 years old when I was staying at my grandmothers house for a week, which was hours away from my home. My grandmother was always accommodating to me being such a picky eater, but she gave me chicken with the bones still in it. This was the moment it truly hit me that what I was eating had bones, just like me. It was alive, just like I am. That was the moment I went vegetarian, which later turned into me becoming a vegan only a few months later. 6 years later I am still going strong as a vegan which I plan to stay the rest of my life because of how important veganism is not only to me but also to the animals and environment. I aspire to become a clinical psychologist, specializing in disordered eating. Doing this I can help the vegan movement by showing those recovering from disorders such as anorexia or bulimia that they can continue their cruelty free diet while still recovering and reaching a healthy weight. I have struggled with anorexia myself, while being vegan, which many people believed was a bad idea, or that I was doing it to hurt my recovery. This was very frustrating to me because no one seemed to understand that my veganism and disorder were not connected. Despite this I continued to stay vegan with little support. Years later I am proud to say that I am well recovered from my disorder and am now at a healthy weight, while remaining a vegan. Although I do not plan on being a nutritionist, as a psychologist I can still support those who are struggling with an eating disorder who happen to be a vegan. One day I plan to create programs which allow vegans in an impatient facility for an eating disorder to continue to be a vegan while still recovering to their fullest potential. By offering support, educating those on veganism, teaming up with nutritionist, and creating meal plans to help those suffering get to a healthy weight without consuming any animal products. With how fast veganism and plant based diets are growing this is a program that needs to happen eventually. I plan on using my psychology degree to help the veganism movement by supporting those with eating disorders to stay vegan while recovering and to one day allow those in inpatient facilities to continue their diet while destroying the stigma between veganism and eating disorders. I am very grateful for your time reading my essay, winning this scholarship will help me get my education to become a psychologist, which will allow me to promote veganism in a safe manner to those suffering with eating disorders. Thank you!