For the past 9 years, I have been dealing with gastric issues. I have been to 4 different doctors, throughout the years, to try to find answers. I underwent numerous testing, blood work, new medications all to find out everything is normal. I struggled going to school some days or to practice as I am a competitive hip hop dancer. I missed a lot and it started making me depressed. I missed a lot of school, but I always managed to get my work done and make honor roll every semester. The one thing this was not going to do was jeopardize my chances of getting into college. I did seek professional help in which it helped me cope with my issues. My therapist taught me how to deal with the pain and feel better. Because of her and her strategies, I decided to pursue psychology at the University of Alabama starting in the fall. My goal is to help others, preferably children, on how to cope with issues they are having. I wanted to give back and let people know that even though they are feeling down, there is always a way to feel like themselves again. I feel I can empathize with them, from my personal experiences, and help them live better lives.