Growing up with a learning disability presented its own set of hurdles, yet it also gave me a great determination to confront expectations. I was born developmentally/cognitive delayed. From a young age, I struggled with understanding material at the same pace as my classmates, often feeling frustrated and discouraged. However, this adversity fueled a fire within me to prove that my learning disability did not define what I could do. Well, even though I have an intellectual disability, I am not disabled. I like to call myself differently abled. So, you ask yourself, why would someone who is intellectually disabled need a college scholarship? As you can see from my Bold.org profile, I am currently a second year at The Ohio State University through their Transitions Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS) Program. The TOPS program is a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary program whose purpose is to develop, expand and improve inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disabilities such as myself. So many scholarship opportunities want full time undergraduate students. Well I am not a “typical student.” At this time, I don’t currently hold a typical GPA. My high school GPA was 3.91. Once I am certified through the TOPS program, I plan on working towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree. My ultimate goal is the earn a degree in the field of recreational sports management and community services and work for my local county Board of Developmental Delay to work with kids like me in their recreation department. I have always been a “special education” student. I attended a preschool for developmental delayed students through my local county Board of Developmental Delay. I got to ride a bus to school. I thought it was great that I could ride a bus when my older brother had to walk to school. He was so jealous! I never really noticed I was that different until I was in middle school. One of my friends asked why I had to go to that “special” classroom? Then it hit me, I am different and learn different from my friends. Since moving into the dorms, I have joined and participated in a lot of student organizations to help me on my journey and expose me to new surroundings. With the help of this scholarship, One of my goals as I get older is to fight against ableism. Ableism is discriminating against someone because of their disability, which can take many forms. Ableism can also be bullying, isolation, or refusal to provide a student with disability accommodations. Like other forms of discrimination, ableism is very common and shows up in many ways. I have experienced ableism during my time in school. Combating ableism is a difficult thing that people with disabilities do literally every day. I hope with my career path I can help fight ableism for people with disabilities. If I was born a generation earlier, or simply 15 years earlier, I would not be allowed to attend college. I would have been stuck by my “mental retardation.” I would have been shoved in a classroom in school and ignored. I am happy that our society realizes that people like me can successfully contribute to society. I realize that without the help and support from many organizations, I simply would not be attending college. With financial support I am trying to continue my education. I hope I can become an inspirational success story for other students who are intellectually disabled. I hope they can learn from my experience in knowing that any student in special education can attend college.

Where do I even start? This is not something I want to be doing but something that I need to say. It's officially been over month since you were ripped away from us with no reason. Words cannot describe what your family and my family, especially my brother have been going through in this time frame. I recently lost my future sister-in-law to a careless auto accident. Makenna Johnson just graduated college with her associate’s degree on a Friday and killed on the way to work the following Tuesday. A distracted driver crossed TWO LANES of pavement before contacting Makenna's vehicle, ultimately taking her life. She had countless years of memories and joy ahead of her, but a careless act of another selfish human being took that all away from not only her but all of us around her. I was born developmentally delayed which was caused by a diminutive pituitary gland, short corpus callosum, and delayed myelination in my brain as determined by an MRI when I was two years old. Well, even though I have an intellectual disability, I am not disabled. I like to call myself differently abled. Growing up with a learning disability presented its own set of hurdles, yet it also gave me a great determination to confront expectations and pursue a college degree. Growing up with a learning disability presented its own set of hurdles, yet it also gave me a great determination to confront expectations. From a young age, I struggled with understanding material at the same pace as my classmates, often feeling frustrated and discouraged. However, this adversity fueled a fire within me to prove that my learning disability did not define what I could do. Makenna was always there for me with words of encouragement or just making me laugh when I was feeling down. She treated me like her little brother which really meant a lot since I don’t have a sister. I want to thank her for showing me what having a sister is like. Makenna was one of the most influential people for me in my entire life. She was going to be the future mother of my nieces and nephews. A future businesswomen just started her journey towards real estate and insurance after graduating college herself. I don't think I will ever truly get over what happened 05/07/2024. It will always be stuck in my head. No matter how hard the days get, I’ll continue to live for you because that is what you would have wanted. I am very blessed to have the time with Makenna that I did. I have two goals for the future. One of my goals as I get older is to fight against ableism. Ableism is discriminating against someone because of their disability, which can take many forms. Ableism can also be bullying, isolation, or refusal to provide a student with disability accommodations. I have experienced ableism during my time in school. Combating ableism is a difficult thing that people with disabilities do literally every day. I hope with my career path I can help fight ableism for people with disabilities. My second goal involves getting the word out about distracted driving. Makenna was involved in going to amateur car shows with my brother. Now that she is gone, I will be going to the car shows, wearing my Makenna memorial shirt and spreading the word about paying attention on the road. Please stay focused on the road when driving even the smallest distance. Nobody should have to go through what myself, my family and Makenna’s family are feeling... Drive safe.

I was born developmentally delayed which was caused by a diminutive pituitary gland, short corpus callosum, and delayed myelination in my brain as determined by an MRI when I was two years old. Growing up with a learning disability presented its own set of hurdles, yet it also gave me a great determination to confront expectations, just like in Taylor Swift's "1989" album. I think Taylor Swift's "1989" album is full of songs that capture different emotions and experiences. I am going to map out my year using some of the songs from the album. For January, I would pick "Welcome to New York," it reminds me of starting off the year with excitement and anticipation, while embracing new beginnings and adventures. For February, of course Valentine’s Day, I think of "Style," always in the mood for something romantic, while enjoying the moments with someone special. Turning to March, I think of "Clean." March is the beginning of spring, so I feel like it’s a month of renewal and growth, while putting away winter clothes, shedding old habits and embracing a fresh start. Of course April brings "Out of the Woods." While navigating through uncertainties and challenges, we get a feeling a sense of exhilaration as we emerge from difficult times. May brings my favorite, "Wildest Dreams." This song reminds me to dream big and to indulge in fantasies. In May as the day grow longer and warmer, it makes me feel like anything is possible Turning to a fast track and summer, of course "Shake It Off" is the song for June. This song embraces positivity and resilience. Listening to this song, I want to shake off any negativity and dance through any obstacles that come my way. July is a time of change, while celebrating the 4th of July, you realize fall and school is right around the corner, so my choice for July is "Bad Blood." It’s a time of reflection and maybe even a little confrontation. While still embracing the freedom of summer before school starts, for August I choose "Blank Space." Talking to GQ in 2015, Taylor Swift said that she envisioned "Blank Space" to be a satirical self-referential nod to the media perception of her image as "a girl who's crazy but seductive but glamorous but nuts but manipulative". This is how I feel about August …. It is crazy. As summer fades into fall, and we start to reflect on deep connections and meaningful relationships, September song choice is obviously, "This Love. " This song reminds me to cherish the bonds that sustain me. For October, I choose "I Know Places." While listening to this song, I feel a sense of urgency and adventure to help me chase after my goals. I know that success is within reach. Come November, it’s the start of the holiday season, so to embrace the magic of the season, of course… "Wonderland." Sometimes during the holiday you need to navigate through the ups and downs of life. Closing out the year in December, with a sense of optimism and celebration, it’s time for - "New Romantics.” Get ready to embark on new adventures and make memories that will last a lifetime. Just like each song on Taylor’s 1989 album, I hope my journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and a commitment to academic excellence. Despite facing numerous setbacks, I refused to let my challenges direct my future.