Hi! My name is Emmie, I am a 28 year old Respiratory Therapist student who is 98 days away from graduating! I spend most of my free time hanging out with my 5 year old son Levi. He is the SWEETEST boy you would EVER meet. He constantly is pouring love and encouragement into me. I also enjoy spending time reading books, searching different topics to further my knowledge, and I also enjoy hanging out with my tabby kitty Max, he is wild as ever, but keeps us so entertained. Being a single mother while pursuing my degree in Respiratory Therapy has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. The financial strain has been constant, requiring me to juggle not only the responsibilities of motherhood but also the demands of school and working full-time at the hospital as a Phlebotomist. Every day is a balancing act between supporting my son Levi, maintaining my responsibilities as a student, and managing my financial obligations. Yet, despite these hardships, I remain committed to my goals and driven by the desire to create a better future for my son and myself. I want him to see that no matter the circumstances, you are able to achieve anything that you set your mind to, and that this world has endless opportunities. My Mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 2 weeks ago, and now with her going through treatments, I am taking on the financial responsibilities of groceries, bills, utilities, etc. As a student, I also face tuition fees, textbooks, clinical supplies, and other academic expenses. While I work as a Phlebotomist to help alleviate some of the financial pressure, the income from this job is not always enough to cover everything, especially when I am also studying for exams, attending classes, and completing clinical rotations. It has been difficult to find the time to work more hours or seek additional financial assistance due to the demanding nature of Respiratory Therapy school. The workload is rigorous, and the pressure to perform well academically is immense. I am very hard on myself to get good grades, because in High School I was not a star student and did not care in that time about my grades. There are days when I feel completely drained, balancing my studies, my job, and my responsibilities as a mother. It can be incredibly hard to focus on my assignments when I am feeling guilty about having to decide between studying for my exams, going to work, or playing dinosaurs with my Son. There have been many sacrifices along the way. Time with my son is limited, as I often find myself studying late into the night or working long hours to make up for lost time during school. There are days when I wish I could give him more attention, take him to the park, or just spend time doing the little things that make our relationship special. I know that my sacrifices are temporary and that the hard work I am putting in now will ultimately benefit both of us in the long run. Being so close to graduating and knowing I will be able to spend more time with him makes me emotional and excited. I have learned valuable lessons in resilience, time management, and perseverance. It has also reinforced my passion for helping others, as I am constantly reminded of the importance of making a difference in people's lives—whether through my work as a Phlebotomist, or through my future career as a respiratory therapist. Thank you for your time reading our story!

It was June of 2018, I was 21 years old, looking down at 2 pink lines thinking, how am I going to do this. I knew that motherhood was an absolute blessing, and there was nothing more than I had dreamed of in life than to be a mother. My story is not how I pictured my motherhood journey going, but life works in unexpected ways, and you must learn to roll with it! I shortly learned not only was I going to be a mother, but I was going to be a single mom, doing this completely on my own. I was devastated, I did not have a steady well-paying career, I was living paycheck to pay check with just myself, how would I make it work with myself and a baby? I knew I had to pull myself together, because this child did not ask to be brought into this world, so it was my job to make sure I provided for him and gave him the best possible life. I found out I was expecting a baby boy, my heart was full, I knew that boys loved their mama’s, and I couldn’t wait to meet him! I decided on the name Levi Daniel. My pregnancy became high risk, I was still able to work my nanny job, but I knew that would be coming to an end in January because that was when Levi would make his arrival. I tried to save up as much as I could, but I knew it would not be enough to support us for long. I started to come up with a plan for when I had him, and what my career options were, I had many ideas, but I did not act on them as I knew I would be unable to work soon. January 29th 2019, there he was, a beautiful 6 pound 6 ounces boy with black hair crying as they held him up by my head while operating on me during the c-section. My entire world was so different now, nothing else mattered but this little boy looking up at me. I finally understood all the “cliché” things people would say. I truly did not know I could feel so much love towards a tiny human I was meeting for the first time. I put my finger in his hand, and he grabbed it, I told him “Mommy is going to make you proud, it is you and me sweet boy, but that’s all we need, we got this.” Around March 2019, I decided to go to a Pima Medical and look at applying for the Respiratory Therapist program. It was going to be 22 months long, and the salary was going to be more than enough. I knew I wanted to work healthcare because I really enjoy caring for others, but then as always, life throws the unexpected. Covid-19 came, the school program was paused. I could not find a job, we were stuck in lockdown. I wasn’t able to go to school, I felt so hopeless, all I wanted was to start school, get my degree and work to build our life. We ended up evicted from our apartment when the eviction moratorium was over, that was my rock bottom. We ended up moving in with my parents, we were very lucky for them to take us in. We waited for Covid to blow over, but it seemed to go on forever. I was fortunate to get a job at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, it did not pay much, but it was something, and I had a feeling it was going to open many doors for me. August 2021 my parents decided to retire and move to Arizona, of course we went with them because I had their only Grandchild, and they were all the help I had. I kept working as a Phlebotomist, but it started to seem like that wouldn’t get us anywhere. I started paying close attention to other career paths around me in the hospital, I still had a lot of interest in Respiratory especially after the chaos of Covid. June 2023 I started Respiratory School. I had faith in myself. I did not know how I was going to do it, but I knew I didn't have a choice, I was ready to have a good career and be financially stable and have our own place again. I knew being a Mother, Student, and full-time worker was not going to be easy, but wow it has been very difficult. I went through heart break, my sons autism diagnosis, feeling like quitting, dealing with depression, getting in mass amounts of debt from taking out loans to make it through school. I barley get to see my Son between in person classes each morning followed by working from after class until night time. It has not only been a struggle for myself, but I notice the behavior changes in Levi and it makes it more difficult for me to be ok being gone so much. It has been a mental struggle feeling like I am trying to give us a better life, all while feeling like I was failing him by not being around as much as I felt like a mom should be. During school I have also participated in clinical hours for 7 weeks at a time, which also meant I was working 36 hours at clinicals each week while working 40 hours each week at my actual job. My car decided to break down this year, and I ended up having to buy a new one. Financially it was not ideal. Through the last 2 years I've managed all a's and b's. I graduate in 4 months and I can finally see the light at the end. I've almost officially made it and I could not be more proud. I want Levi to know you can do anything you put your mind to. Thank you.

Mental health is just as if not more important than physical health in my opinion. My mental health is important to me for many reasons. The biggest reason being my son Levi. I know that he deserves a mentally stable mom who can be there for him 100% and provide for him. There is quite a stigma on discussing mental health, almost as if you should be embarrassed if you are struggling because "depression" is not a real thing. At least that's how most of the older generation views it, which means a lot of us grew up with not being able to have self expression which has led to a significant issue in todays society. A lot of us are stuck with not knowing how to cope with everyday life and in turn the suicide rates, drug use, and crimes have significantly risen. I have a very close perspective with mental health because I, myself struggle with this daily. Because of lack of knowledge and resources, it made it difficult for me to access help for how I was feeling right away. I lost friends, I lost relationships, I lost family members, and I lost myself. I felt like my world was falling apart and it was my fault because I couldn't stop myself from being me. I was broken inside because I am a young single mom who just wanted to be a happy, cheerful, and graceful mother to my son. It was starting to feel impossible, the everyday tasks were becoming too much, it felt like a constant fire in my brain that would just shut me down. It wasn't until I had a massive mental break down that included screaming, breaking things, and sobbing uncontrollably, that's when I realized I needed to get help right away, and that it was not something I could just "get over." It was ok to seek out professional help and I realized it should not be embarrassing. I was diagnosed with having Bipolar depression disorder, I finally didn't feel like I was being dramatic, I was truly clinically depressed and I was so ecstatic that there were medications to help relive the symptoms and help me live a life I could be happy with and have the energy to get out of bed and be grateful for another day. Now that I have the proper regimen, I maintain my mental health by staying consistent with my medications, getting time to be outside in the sunshine, self care, and therapy! Life has become so different and I now am able to be the mother my son deserves, I am able to wake up everyday with motivation to get out of bed and have a good day and for that I am grateful.

I had my son Levi when I was 22 years old, I was not exactly "ready" as I did not have a career or even a good paying job. This pregnancy had come as a complete shock to me as I had been told by countless Doctors and Surgeons that due to the degree of my endometriosis and condition of my uterus I would be unable to carry my own child. I was scheduled for a hysterectomy and found out about Levi 2 weeks before the scheduled day of surgery. God knew I was meant to be a mother, and it sure happened. It was the scariest and hardest time of my life trying to figure out how I was going to support a child at 22 years old. It lit a fire in me to want to do more with my life, especially because I brought this child into this world, he did not ask to be here, so it was my responsibility to love him with everything I had and provide for him. I am now 28 years old, am a full-time respiratory therapist student, a part-time worker at the hospital as a phlebotomist, and full time mom. I graduate March 25th 2025, 5 months away and I am counting down to the literal second. I have worked so hard, sacrificed time with my son, and have managed to get A's and B's throughout school. The thought of walking during graduation while Levi is cheering me on makes me so emotional and excited to say I did it. I plan to start my bachelors program April 30th 2025 to continue to further my education and success to be able to give Levi the experiences and things I never got to have. I want to give Levi the best possible life! Being in school as a single mom, working less, and doing school with clinicals and class has really put a financial burden on us. We've lost our home, our car, and struggled to keep on the lights. It has put me behind on a lot of things, so scholarships would lower the stress of constantly trying to catch up. I never want to worry about that ever again, so I am determined to finish school and provide everything for us and never have to live pay check to pay check. I hope that when I am working as a Respiratory Therapist and am caught up on the bills and have extra, I would love to put some single parent healthcare scholarships out there to be able to contribute to others success and financial struggles. I have been blessed with help from others, and there is nothing more I would love to do than help others achieve their goals!

Mental health is one of the most simple yet complicated subjects. The stigma that has grown around mental health issues has become such an uncontrolled issue. In this world, people are struggling every single day. The population with mental illness continues to grow and we continue to lack proper resources. So many people think they do not have a choice and decide to end their journey here on earth. Someone can look to be the happiest, but deep down they struggle mentally to wake up each day. I wish I could see the future and see that this epidemic will get better, but in order for it to get there, we have to be the change we want to see. I have a very close perspective on mental health because I, myself struggle with this daily. I grew up in a household where I was never allowed to speak about my emotions or how I was feeling. If I did, it was considered disrespectful. I held in a lot of things. I couldn't express when I was upset because I was told to get over it. This has affected me in my adult life more than I would have expected. Learning how to regulate my feelings and not constantly shut down or go into defense mode has been the farthest thing from easy. The way I was coping with my emotions and obvious depression had my loved ones and friends very concerned for me. I always wondered if I was just being dramatic, or if I actually was suffering from something that was more complex. Because of a lack of knowledge and resources, it made it difficult for me to access help for how I was feeling right away. I lost friends, I lost relationships, I lost family members, and I lost myself. I felt like my world was falling apart and it was my fault because I couldn't stop myself from being me. All of my bursts of anger, and random tears felt so frustrating. I was broken inside because I was a young single mom who just wanted to be a happy, cheerful, and graceful mother to my son. It was starting to feel impossible, the everyday tasks were becoming too much, it felt like a constant fire in my brain that would just shut me down. I did not want to die, but at the same time, I did not want to live. It wasn't until I had a massive mental breakdown that included yelling, breaking things, and sobbing, that's when I realized I needed to get help and I needed to get help fast. It was not something I could just "get over." It was ok to seek out professional help and I realized it should not be embarrassing. I was admitted to a mental health facility where I was diagnosed with Bipolar depression disorder. I finally didn't feel like I was being dramatic, my feelings were completely valid. I was truly clinically depressed and I was so ecstatic to learn that there were medications to help relieve the symptoms and help me live a life I could be happy with and have the energy to get out of bed and be grateful for another day. Once I was able to get the proper medications and therapy to help me feel like my true self, I started respiratory therapy school. I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself and more thankful for my supportive medical team who has helped me along the way. If I did not get the help I needed, I may not have been here much longer. I find it important to be able to have certain resources for people available, especially affordable resources for those less fortunate as well. Everyone has a right to healthcare and receiving mental help, because everyone has a purpose here on this earth, and everyone deserves to wake up and feel happy to live another day. My son Levi is the main reason I was so adamant about getting my life together, I know he did not ask to be here, so I needed to provide for him and make sure he can access resources one day if he needs to. He is my pride and joy and I wanted to make sure he had a mentally stable mom who could provide for him and be there for him. I wish I had the ability to add more counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to this world. We are in a mental health crisis and you can see it very clearly. I never judge anyone because you truly never know what they are struggling with on the inside. The world lacks patience and kindness and I think crime, abuse, drug use and suicide rates are being affected by this crisis. I am praying for the world because I want my son to grow up and be safe and happy, I never want him to feel like he doesn't deserve to be here, or that he does not want to be here. I try my best to do my part and give smiles to everyone, be a listening ear, check on friends and family often, and try to bring positive energy to everyone I am around, because again, they could be going through the toughest time, feeling like they don't want to be here anymore, and a smile or someone caring just might change their mind. Working in healthcare, patients in the hospital or long-term care facility struggle with mental health as well, and I hope to be a caretaker who listens and can give them resources for help if needed.

When people are growing up, they usually have an idea of what they want to go to college for after Highschool graduation. For me, I never had a specific plan on what I would like to do, however I did know I enjoyed taking care of others and making a positive impact on peoples lives, but thinking about going to college for something in the Medical field seemed way out of reach for me, as in Highschool I didn't achieve the highest grades. My Dad dropped out of school after middle school and was able to get a job in the construction field, and my mom didn't go the college route because she enjoyed working her job at a beauty supply store. There was never pressure put on me to go to college. When the time came to graduate from Highschool, all my friends were getting their college acceptance letters, and I felt a sense of "missing out." I wasn't going to jump into further education right away because I knew if I tried, I would not succeed. I was working as a manager at a smoothie shop at the time and I was content. Fast forward to age 21 I found out I was going to be a mother to a baby boy. I was ecstatic, scared, and joyful at the same time. I always dreamed of being a mom, but due to my endometriosis and other reproductive diagnoses, I was told by countless doctors that I would never be able to have children of my own. So this was not only a surprise, but a miracle as well. The fear I had came from me not knowing how I was going to support a child, I was going to be a single mom and do things completely on my own. I knew life would not be easy for us, but I refused to live paycheck to paycheck and be worried about not having food, a roof over our heads, or clothes on his back. I decided to start school for a Phlebotomy class, it was 3 days long and I would get a job that paid more than what I was making, or so I thought. Just when I finished the class Covid hit. I lost my job and I could not afford rent, we were living off of unemployment and it seemed like this storm cloud over our heads would never disappear. After the eviction mortarium was cancelled, we were evicted from our apartment despite my efforts to try and get rental assistance. I felt depressed, mad, and helpless. We moved in with my parents, which we were so blessed to have them to help us out. I realized that hospitals were in desperate need of all different positions. So I started working at the hospital making barley over minimum wage. I realized I was never going to make a livable wage off of this job. Over 2.5 years of working at the hospital as a phlebotomist, I watched all the different nurses, therapists, doctors, and techs to try and see if I would be interested in furthering my education. Respiratory therapy was exactly what sparked my interest. I went right away and applied for the program, got accepted and started June of 2023. I now have 5 months left until I graduate and I could not be more proud. All of the challenges we have faced, I have managed to keep A's and B's and I did it all to give my Son the best life and provide for all his needs.

My name is Emmie! I am a spunky, outgoing, and fun 28 year old woman. I have a passion for helping others, which is why I am pursuing my degree is Respiratory Therapy. I am 5 months away from graduating! I have a 5 year old son, his name is Levi. I had him when I was 22 years old, and I raised him by myself. I've worked full time, gone to school full time, and still was being a mom full time. I spend a lot of my time going on walks with my son to the park, going to the gym, doing Pilates, spending time with my family. I go over to my grandparents apartment every weekend and clean it for them as they are aging and need to help. I really enjoy spending time with them and getting to watch them see my son grow up! When I think about accountability, I think its easy to lack for a lot of people, because what could be easier than putting blame on anyone but yourself. I grew up with parents who held me accountable which in turn helped me do the same as I got older. Since I was pregnant and had a baby at 22, I had to grow up fast and mentally mature. Thankfully I have always been a reliable person, I started working at 15 years old and have always held a job since. I am very self aware, I always will admit my wrongs, and I will always take accountability for my own actions, because the only person that can control me, is me! Life is much easier when you do take responsibility, it gives you more respect from others, and it helps you respect yourself more. I would consider myself to be pretty successful as I am graduating in 5 months, I have a car, and a home to live in, I am blessed. Life is truly about the people you know, and I feel as though my outgoing personality has really given me an advantage in life and aids in my success because I talk to everyone and open myself up to all kinds of opportunities. I love hearing peoples stories and sharing mine with them as well. When you meet people through your life, you never know at what point you might see them again, or at what point they hear of an opportunity and remember you and say hey I know someone who would be interested! To me success isn't all about money, however it is more about happiness and having basic needs. I know people typically associate success with rich people, but I don't think that you have to be rich to be successful, you may be rich, but you are un happy, then what do you really have?

I wanted to start school when I got out of high school because that's usually what people try and do, but my life had other plans. My life got rocked back and fourth when I found out I was going to be having a baby boy in January of 2019, I was only 21 years old. Words can not describe how happy, scared, and amazed I felt. I was diagnosed with reproductive diseases that had my doctors telling me I could never have kids, and I was scheduled for my Hysterectomy June 25th of 2018, and I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks prior to that surgery date. My son Levi, he is my MIRACLE child, all I ever wanted was to be a mom, and going from almost not have the chance, to living out what was told would be impossible felt like a dream come true. However like I mentioned, I was 21 living at home, no steady career, lost in life, and immature. As I was preparing for Levi's arrival I had really kicked myself into gear, finding out I was going to be a single mom doing this whole journey on my own was the most difficult and mentally taxing thing I have been through. I needed to figure out how I was going to make a good life for us, because I refused to bring a child into this world and not be able to provide for the things he needed. Unfortunately covid came around and knocked us flat on the ground and out of our apartment so it took a couple years for us to get back on our feet. Being a single mom while having to hold everything together is one of the most difficult things I have endured in my life. However, knowing I am doing right by my son, and working to give him the best possible life with everything he needs, and never has to worry if he will have clothes, food, or necessities. At age 27, I began working at the hospital as a phlebotomist to get my foot in the healthcare door. My son was 4 at this time. I got to work with Respiratory Therapists during my shifts, and I was very fascinated with the work they were doing and how much of an effect it had on patients. I decided to go to Pima Medical School and discuss their respiratory therapist program. I left the school about an hour later and after passing entrance exams and interviews I had a start date 4 months away! When you have little eyes looking at you, counting on you, cheering for you, it makes all the difficult times not seem too bad. As much of a struggle it has been financially, physically, and mentally, I am happy to know that I am almost at the finish line! I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself for doing it while working full time, school full time, and mom full time. I absolutely could not have done this without my sons eyes looking at me giving me the motivation, he is almost 6 and I can't wait to show him that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. I cannot wait to care for my patients, make them feel heard, cared for, and most importantly get them to better health so they can get home to their families. I want to be a sunshine for them in their hard times.

Mental health is one of the most simple yet complicated subjects. The population with mental illness continues to grow and we continue to lack proper resources, so many people think they do not have a choice and decide to end their journey here on earth which breaks my heart because I wish they knew they were wanted, cared for, and worth being here. I have a very close perspective with mental health because I, myself struggle with mental health issues. I grew up in a household where I was not allowed to speak on my emotions or how I was feeling. This has affected me in my adult life more than I would have expected. The way I coped with my feelings had my loved ones and friends very concerned for me. I always wondered if I was just being dramatic, or if I actually was suffering from something that was more complex. Because of lack of knowledge and resources, it made it difficult for me to access help for how I was feeling right away. I lost friends, I lost relationships, I lost family members, and I lost myself. I felt like my world was falling apart and it was my fault because I couldn't stop myself from being me. I was broken inside because I was a young single mom who just wanted to be a happy, cheerful, and graceful mother to my son. It was starting to feel impossible, the everyday tasks were becoming too much, it felt like a constant fire in my brain that would just shut me down. It wasn't until I had a massive mental break down that shook up the household, that's when I realized I needed to get help and I needed to get help fast, and that it was not something I could just "get over." It was ok to seek out professional help and I realized it should not be embarrassing. I was diagnosed with having Bipolar depression disorder, I wasn't dramatic, I was truly clinically depressed. Once I was able to get the proper medications and therapy to help me feel like my true self, I started respiratory therapy school. I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself and more thankful for my supportive medical team who has helped me along the way. My son Levi was the main reason I was so adamant about getting my life together, I know he did not ask to be here, so I needed to provide for him and make sure he is able to access resources one day if he needs to If I was not able to get the help I needed, I may not have been here much longer. I wish I had the ability to add more counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to this world. We are in a mental health crisis and you can see it very clearly. I never judge anyone because you truly never know what they are struggling with on the inside. The world lacks patience and kindness and I think crime, abuse, and suicide rates are being affected by this crisis. I try my best to do my part and give smiles to everyone, be a listening ear, check on friends and family often, and I try to bring a positive energy to everyone I am around, because again, they could be going through the toughest time, feeling like they don't want to be here anymore, and a smile just might change their mind.

Healthcare has always been my passion, you could tell from when I was a young child by my caretaking tendencies. I wanted to start school when I got out of high school because that's usually what people try and do, but my life had other plans. My life got rocked back and fourth when I found out I was going to be having a baby boy in January of 2019, I was only 21 years old. Words can not describe how happy, scared, and amazed I felt. I was diagnosed with reproductive diseases that had my doctors telling me I could never have kids, and I was scheduled for my Hysterectomy June 25th of 2018, and I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks prior to that surgery date. My son Levi, he is my MIRACLE child, all I ever wanted was to be a mom, and going from almost not have the chance, to living out what was told would be impossible felt like a dream come true. However like I mentioned, I was 21 living at home, no steady career, lost in life, and immature. As I was preparing for Levi's arrival I had really kicked myself into gear, finding out I was going to be a single mom doing this whole journey on my own was the most difficult and mentally taxing thing I have been through. I needed to figure out how I was going to make a good life for us, because I refused to bring a child into this world and not be able to provide for the things he needed. Unfortunately covid came around and knocked us flat on the ground and out of our apartment so it took a couple years for us to get back on our feet. I began working at the hospital as a phlebotomist to get my foot in the healthcare door. I got to work with Respiratory Therapists during my shifts, and I was very fascinated with the work they were doing and how much of an effect it had on patients. I decided to go to Pima Medical School and discuss their respiratory therapist program. I left the school about an hour later and after passing entrance exams and interviews I had a start date 4 months away! I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself for doing it while working full time, school full time, and mom full time. I absolutely could not have done this without my sons eyes looking at me giving me the motivation, he is almost 6 and I can't wait to show him that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. I cannot wait to care for my patients, make them feel heard, cared for, and most importantly get them to better health so they can get home to their families. I want to be a sunshine for them in their hard times.

Mental health is one of the most simple yet complicated subjects. The stigma that as grown around mental health issues have become such an issue. In this world, people are struggling every single day. The population with mental illness continues to grow and we continue to lack proper resources, so many people think they do not have a choice and decide to end their journey here on earth which breaks my heart because I wish they knew they were wanted, cared for, and worth being here. I have a very close perspective with mental health because I, myself struggle with this on a daily basis. I grew up in a household where I was not allowed to speak on my emotions or how I was feeling. I couldn't express when I was upset because I was told to get over it. This has affected me in my adult life more than I would have expected. The way I coped with my feelings had my loved ones and friends very concerned for me. I always wondered if I was just being dramatic, or if I actually was suffering from something that was more complex. Because of lack of knowledge and resources, it made it difficult for me to access help for how I was feeling right away. I lost friends, I lost relationships, I lost family members, and I lost myself. I felt like my world was falling apart and it was my fault because I couldn't stop myself from being me. I was broken inside because I was a young single mom who just wanted to be a happy, cheerful, and graceful mother to my son. It was starting to feel impossible, the everyday tasks were becoming too much, it felt like a constant fire in my brain that would just shut me down. It wasn't until I had a massive mental break down that shook up the household, that's when I realized I needed to get help and I needed to get help fast, and that it was not something I could just "get over." It was ok to seek out professional help and I realized it should not be embarrassing. I was diagnosed with having Bipolar depression disorder, I finally didn't feel like I was being dramatic, I was truly clinically depressed and I was so ecstatic that there is medications to help relive the symptoms and help me live a life I could be happy with and have the energy to get out of bed and be grateful for another day. Once I was able to get the proper medications and therapy to help me feel like my true self, I started respiratory therapy school. I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself and more thankful for my supportive medical team who has helped me along the way. My son Levi was the main reason I was so adamant about getting my life together, I know he did not ask to be here, so I needed to provide for him and make sure he is able to access resources one day if he needs to If I was not able to get the help I needed, I may not have been here much longer. I am forever grateful for my life at this moment in time. I wish I had the ability to add more counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to this world. We are in a mental health crisis and you can see it very clearly. I never judge anyone because you truly never know what they are struggling with on the inside. The world lacks patience and kindness and I think crime, abuse, and suicide rates are being affected by this crisis. I am praying for the world because I want my son to grow up and be safe and happy, I never want him to feel like he doesn't deserve to be here, or that he does not want to be here. I try my best to do my part and give smiles to everyone, be a listening ear, check on friends and family often, and I try to bring a positive energy to everyone I am around, because again, they could be going through the toughest time, feeling like they don't want to be here anymore, and a smile just might change their mind. I plan to continue going to therapy, continuing to work on my personal goals, my son is who really keeps me going, and I think he truly saved me.

Mental health is one of the most simple yet complicated subjects. The stigma that as grown around mental health issues have become such an issue. In this world, people are struggling every single day. The population with mental illness continues to grow and we continue to lack proper resources, so many people think they do not have a choice and decide to end their journey here on earth which breaks my heart because I wish they knew they were wanted, cared for, and worth being here. I have a very close perspective with mental health because I, myself struggle with this on a daily basis. I grew up in a household where I was not allowed to speak on my emotions or how I was feeling. I couldn't express when I was upset because I was told to get over it. This has affected me in my adult life more than I would have expected. The way I coped with my feelings had my loved ones and friends very concerned for me. I always wondered if I was just being dramatic, or if I actually was suffering from something that was more complex. Because of lack of knowledge and resources, it made it difficult for me to access help for how I was feeling right away. I lost friends, I lost relationships, I lost family members, and I lost myself. I felt like my world was falling apart and it was my fault because I couldn't stop myself from being me. I was broken inside because I was a young single mom who just wanted to be a happy, cheerful, and graceful mother to my son. It was starting to feel impossible, the everyday tasks were becoming too much, it felt like a constant fire in my brain that would just shut me down. It wasn't until I had a massive mental break down that shook up the household, that's when I realized I needed to get help and I needed to get help fast, and that it was not something I could just "get over." It was ok to seek out professional help and I realized it should not be embarrassing. I was diagnosed with having Bipolar depression disorder, I finally didn't feel like I was being dramatic, I was truly clinically depressed and I was so ecstatic that there is medications to help relive the symptoms and help me live a life I could be happy with and have the energy to get out of bed and be grateful for another day. Once I was able to get the proper medications and therapy to help me feel like my true self, I started respiratory therapy school. I am now 5 months away from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself and more thankful for my supportive medical team who has helped me along the way. My son Levi was the main reason I was so adamant about getting my life together, I know he did not ask to be here, so I needed to provide for him and make sure he is able to access resources one day if he needs to If I was not able to get the help I needed, I may not have been here much longer. I am forever grateful for my life at this moment in time. I wish I had the ability to add more counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to this world. We are in a mental health crisis and you can see it very clearly. I never judge anyone because you truly never know what they are struggling with on the inside. The world lacks patience and kindness and I think crime, abuse, and suicide rates are being affected by this crisis. I am praying for the world because I want my son to grow up and be safe and happy, I never want him to feel like he doesn't deserve to be here, or that he does not want to be here. I try my best to do my part and give smiles to everyone, be a listening ear, check on friends and family often, and I try to bring a positive energy to everyone I am around, because again, they could be going through the toughest time, feeling like they don't want to be here anymore, and a smile just might change their mind. I am terribly sorry to hear about your Mom. She sounds like she is such a sweet and loving woman. I hope we can all make a difference in this world little by little to make the change that is SO needed. Thank you.

Mental health seems to be such a touchy and under discussed subject, which I believe creates this issue of people being too afraid to seek help because there is such a stigma around it. People see you are depressed, they tell you to get over it, they see you having mood changes, they call you crazy, people see you in a manic state, they assume you are over joyed. For myself, I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in 2023 in the midst of being half way through my Respiratory Therapist program. I was difficult to be around, I felt like a burden because it felt as though no one wanted to hear me out or they always related how I was feeling to me "being crazy". Telling someone with a mental illness they are crazy is really unacceptable. I am a single mom to a sweet 5 year old boy, I work full-time, and go to school full time. Dealing with all of this on top of trying to figure out how to manage living with Bipolar was a bit of a process. I have faced many challenges through getting my diagnosis until now. There is not a fix all for just everyone, there is no magic pill that works for everyone. Essentially not a one size fits all process. It has taken multiple medication changes, an ADHD diagnosis, therapy, and life style changes to help me feel as normal and relaxed as I possibly can. I struggled with getting support from those around me, because there is such a stigma that mental health is just not a thing. The people around me who were supposed to support me the most told me I was just "seeking attention" and I feel this is an issue for people which causes them to decide to not get medical attention. Its not easy to get help, there is a lack of psychiatrists, and a lack of health coverage. I was very fortunate to get the help I needed. This has been a big challenge for me during school because going through medication changes, mood swings, depression, and mania until I got the right combination was starting to affect my schooling. My grades were starting to slip and my motivation was deteriorating. Its not something people really discuss either so others just assumed I had something weird going on. I was able to pick myself back up as I started to feel more myself. I feel unstoppable now. I have always been really open about my emotions and how I am feeling, so I always check on my friends and family in a more in depth way. Sometimes the people we love are in denial that there could be something clinically going on in their brain. My passion is to help others, and this is exactly why I am in the healthcare field. As a Respiratory therapist who works closely with the providers on patient care planning, I plan to advocate for my patients regarding their mental health. I plan to be a listening ear, someone they can trust and talk to. I want people to feel more comfortable in discussing their emotions and how they are feeling, especially if they are in need of extra help that we are able to provide.

From a young age I always felt like I had a kind and giving soul. I am a very empathetic person and I find myself feeling what others are feeling. I always knew I wanted to do something when I grew up that would allow me to make a positive impact on others. Sometimes having a big heart is a blessing and a curse, but I would do anything for anyone. I always helped out in my church in 2015, we had a homeless shelter and community in Seattle we were committed to helping. I specifically remember one lady who was about my age, which was about 19 years old at the time. It was winter and it was so cold. She did not have any shoes or socks, and it broke my heart, because I'm sure her feet were so cold. I took my socks and my shoes off and I gave them to her. The smile on her face and the gratefulness she had shown made me feel like I knew what my purpose is in life, which is to bring brightness to other peoples lives. I never had it easy growing up, I had a lot of childhood trauma and a dad who was always angry with me for anything and everything, family that had cut me out of their lives for no reason. That really impacted my life because I always tried to make everyone around me happy, but I just could never make him happy or proud no matter what I did. I didn't let that stop my big heart from going on. I decided to pick up a career in healthcare because I know I can make a difference there. When people are sick and in the hospital they really feel down, and I knew I could use my big heart and big smile to at least make a small difference in their lives while they are going through a tough time. I work as a Phlebotomist in the hospital while I'm finishing school for Respiratory Therapy, as a Phlebotomist no one is every really happy to see me because I have to poke them, but when I walk in, everyone gets a big smile, I check on everyone to see how they are doing, and sometimes I end up having long conversations with people who just need someone to talk to because they don't have any family or friends to come visit them, all my patients tell me I am a gift from God and I have a true healing energy. To make a difference to these patients means everything to me, because being lonely in a vulnerable time can be depressing. While it might not be my job, I always make sure I get the patients anything they need, especially because it can take a while for call lights to be answered, I am always willing to help my patients by getting blankets, water, helping Nurse Assistants, and helping them open their food. Growing up all the way until now my entire family had a specific hatred for me and I truly never understood why. I had always been so giving to them. It really has effected my mental health over the years as you could imagine. I always have done small gestures such as sending my Aunt and Uncle a special ornament when their dog died, and same with my brother, I had a special painting made of their dog that passed away. There was a woman on a page for neighborhood selling of items not in use. She had just gone through a miscarriage and was looking for a special Dr. Suess book called "oh the places you'll go " No one had responded in over a week and I decided to message her and tell her I had one to give, I really did not have it, but I got on amazon and ordered it, I also ordered an angel bracelet for moms who have had a pregnancy loss. As soon as I brought it to her house she was in tears and had said that no one has ever done such a kind gesture for her, and that she was going through this alone. The feeling of doing things to make people smile, even just the smallest gestures make me feel so accomplished like I am living out my purpose. I go over to my Grandparents house every single week and clean their house because they are unable to complete daily tasks, and of course they are very grateful. I volunteer at my school for special camps for children with asthma, I always just want to make someone feel good with my positivity. I will never change this big heart of mine, no matter how many times I am hurt or let down, I will always continue to do good by others. I will always continue to try and make people smile, and will always try and take care of others. I plan to also use this Respiratory Therapy degree to continue to make a positive impact on others, but not only helping them feel better and get back to their families, but also to make sure they can go home and say they got the best care, and felt as though someone really cares, because I do. Thank you for reading this and considering me for this scholarship, it would greatly lift a financial burden off my shoulders, and would help me be able to financially make a difference in others lives sooner rather than later, thank you.

My mental health has been a big issue from the start of school all the way to now with 6 months left. I knew I had Bipolar disorder, which sometimes can make my emotions very difficult to deal with. On top of the Bipolar, I was diagnosed with ADHD back in June. I took the initiative to find a psychiatrist to get the help I needed with adjustments to my medications. I knew I had to get my mental health in order to be able to finish this program. I have a 5 year old son Levi, and all my stress of school was exacerbating my symptoms, I had so much stress and didn't have the capability to deal with it all. As a single mom who is working full time, going to school full time for Respiratory Therapy, which is a very difficult program, and trying to be the best mom possible, I felt like I was loosing my mind. I didn't know who I was anymore, I was a very difficult person to be around because no one ever knew what kind of mood I was going to be in or if I was going to randomly start crying or screaming. I felt like I was a prisoner in my own body that could not escape. Once I took charge of my mental health I have been able to control and regulate my emotions better, I have been able to be more focused on school and getting good grades. Tests used to be very difficult for me, and now being on the right medication for my ADHD it has made the worlds difference. I was able to finally get on the right medication to control my Bipolar disorder which has helped me save the relationships I have in my life with friends and family. I no longer feel like a burden to be around. There is a very big stigma around mental health, it's very sad some people are un able to afford to get help, or they do not have the resources. If I didn't make my mental health a priority, I don't think I would be close to graduating, I don't even know if I would have any friends or family left. I knew I had to take control for my son, he needs a mentally stable mom who is able to give him my best. Finishing school and having a good career is important to me. I am so grateful I had the resources to get help.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I never was the best student back in my younger days, I felt like I did not have a purpose in life, I felt like I was running around not making anything of myself, and I felt lost. I was wondering what my purpose was going to be in life. I was not happy in my life at all. My life took a quick turn when to my surprise I had my son Levi at 22 years old. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I finally knew what my purpose was. When I had Levi, I did it alone, I still do it alone. I wanted to be able to provide for him in every way possible, but school just was not for me, I could not afford it, I didn’t have all the motivation, and I was comfortable. I work at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, I thought that was supposed to be my forever job, but we were living pay check to paycheck and were struggling. Covid-19 had hit and that just wiped us out. 2021 came around and we decided to move to Arizona, we have been adjusting our life still to this day. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not know for what. I decided to get a job here at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist and I also worked as transport. I got to work with the Respiratory Therapist up close. I always have wanted to do something important in healthcare to help people as I have a past medical history myself with having over 7 surgeries, so I enjoy bringing sunshine to people when they are in the dark place such as the hospital waiting for answers. Drawing blood just was not enough for me, I decided to go to my local Pima Medical Institute and see what programs they offered. Respiratory Therapy seemed like something I would grow to be passionate about and I was right. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. It gets hard trying to split my time. Financially it has been hard, I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship, because it would help more than you know. I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. I want him to know how hard I worked to be able to provide him with a good life as he did not ask to be here. I do everything in my power to make sure he is loved and supported.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I never was the best student back in my younger days, I felt like I did not have a purpose in life, I felt like I was running around not making anything of myself, and I felt lost. I was wondering what my purpose was going to be in life. I was not happy in my life at all. My life took a quick turn when to my surprise I had my son Levi at 22 years old. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I finally knew what my purpose was. When I had Levi, I did it alone, I still do it alone. I wanted to be able to provide for him in every way possible, but school just was not for me, I could not afford it, I didn’t have all the motivation, and I was comfortable. I work at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, I thought that was supposed to be my forever job, but we were living pay check to paycheck and were struggling. Covid-19 had hit and that just wiped us out. 2021 came around and we decided to move to Arizona, we have been adjusting our life still to this day. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not know for what. I decided to get a job here at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist and I also worked as transport. I got to work with the Respiratory Therapist up close. I always have wanted to do something important in healthcare to help people as I have a past medical history myself with having over 7 surgeries, so I enjoy bringing sunshine to people when they are in the dark place such as the hospital waiting for answers. Drawing blood just was not enough for me, I decided to go to my local Pima Medical Institute and see what programs they offered. Respiratory Therapy seemed like something I would grow to be passionate about and I was right. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. It gets hard trying to split my time. Financially it has been hard, I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship. When I decided I was going to start Respiratory school, I was so stressed about how I was going to make it. How I was supposed to work full-time, go to school, and try to be the best mom that I can be. It has not been easy, especially considering I still have to pay out of pocket for school. Things are stressful, I am grateful for all the resources that are available for the single moms and the single dads out there. I am 9 months out from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself for powering through and finishing this program even through the obstacles I have faced I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. I want him to know how hard I worked to be able to provide him with a good life as he did not ask to be here. I do everything in my power to make sure he is loved and supported. When I think of how I want to give back in the future, I want to be able to give back to single Moms and Dads who are putting in the maximal effort to bettering their lives for not only themselves but for their children. I plan to create specialized scholarships made specifically for those who are needing to go back to school, but their worry is they won't be able to afford it. I want to financially help out multiple people, because I don't ever want someone to be help back from getting an education because they cannot come up with the funds. I am thrilled to be finished with school, because working as a Respiratory Therapist I will volunteer for asthmatic camps for children and other specialized events. I love to give back in healthcare ways as well, because everyone deserves good healthcare without any judgment. I want to volunteer because not always should healthcare be so expensive.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship. I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. When I think of giving back, I think everyone considers spending money or buying things, or specifically doing things for someone. What happens when you don't have the assets to "give" in the "expected way" As a single Mom I don't have the resources YET. The ways I give back is with my gratitude, personality, and positive attitude. I give back in different ways. I like to help people in different ways through encouragement, and to consistently give praise to people who need it the most. I am able to help others with materialistic things when I have extra resources. I believe everyone should be able to have basic needs. I help others with tasks such as making a resume, cleaning houses for free, and giving the little amount of money I have to those who need it the most. When I decided I was going to start Respiratory school, I was so stressed about how I was going to make it. How I was supposed to work full-time, go to school, and try to be the best mom that I can be. It has not been easy, especially considering I still have to pay out of pocket for school. Things are stressful, I am grateful for all the resources that are available for the single moms and the single dads out there. I am 9 months out from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself for powering through and finishing this program even through the obstacles I have faced When I think of how I want to give back in the future, I want to be able to give back to single Moms and Dads who are putting in the maximal effort to bettering their lives for not only themselves but for their children. I plan to create specialized scholarships made specifically for those who are needing to go back to school, but their worry is they won't be able to afford it. I want to financially help out multiple people, because I don't ever want someone to be help back from getting an education because they cannot come up with the funds. I am thrilled to be finished with school, because working as a Respiratory Therapist I will volunteer for asthmatic camps for children and other specialized events. I love to give back in healthcare ways as well, because everyone deserves good healthcare without any judgment. I want to volunteer because not always should basic healthcare especially for kids should it be at a cost. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship as it would be very helpful.

When I think of giving back, I think everyone considers spending money or buying things, or specifically doing things for someone. What happens when you don't have the assets to "give" in the "expected way" As a single Mom I don't have the resources YET. The ways I give back is with my gratitude, personality, and positive attitude. I give back in different ways. I like to help people with becoming happier with themselves, to give them encouragement, and to consistently give praise to people who need it the most. I am able to help others with materialistic things when I have extra resources. I believe everyone should be able to have basic needs. I help others with tasks such as making a resume, cleaning houses for free, and giving the little amount of money I have to those who need it the most. When I decided I was going to start Respiratory school, I was so stressed about how I was going to make it. How I was supposed to work full-time, go to school, and try to be the best mom that I can be. It has not been easy, especially considering I still have to pay out of pocket for school. Things are stressful, I am grateful for all the resources that are available for the single moms and the single dads out there. I am 9 months out from graduating and I could not be more proud of myself for powering through and finishing this program even through the obstacles I have faced When I think of how I want to give back in the future, I want to be able to give back to single Moms and Dads who are putting in the maximal effort to bettering their lives for not only themselves but for their children. I plan to create specialized scholarships made specifically for those who are needing to go back to school, but their worry is they won't be able to afford it. I want to financially help out multiple people, because I don't ever want someone to be help back from getting an education because they cannot come up with the funds. I am thrilled to be finished with school, because working as a Respiratory Therapist I will volunteer for asthmatic camps for children and other specialized events. I love to give back in healthcare ways as well, because everyone deserves good healthcare without any judgment. I want to volunteer because not always should healthcare be so expensive. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship as it would be very helpful to bring my school balance down and it will help me help others in the future.

If I could change the healthcare system, I would request that providers listened more often to their patients and actually dug deeper into what is the cause of their symptoms. Every symptom has a root cause. Here is my experience. I was 16 years old when my healthcare provider dismissed my symptoms of chronic pain. I was not only told to get pregnant and it would get better, but was also told just to take pain medication and muscle relaxers every day. I was young and afraid and felt dismissed and like what I was going through did not matter. I could not believe what she had told me. Every Doctor just wanted to treat my symptoms, but not actually treat the root cause. I wanted to know what was actually wrong and why I felt the way that I was feeling. I felt alone and I felt like every doctor I saw thought I was seeking pain medication but I wasn't. 7 years later after going through many providers, I found one that actually heard me. She listened to me and instead of treating the symptoms she was knowledgeable about what may have been going on with me and sure enough it ended up with me having to have a full hysterectomy at the age of 24 after I finally found a provider who took me serious. It was a shock and a tough time, I felt as though I could have avoided many years of pain, many Doctor visits, and a big financial burden if someone would have took the time to hear what I was saying and help me. I work in the hospital and so often I am seeing a return of patients like a revolving door, many times we are just treating people with their symptoms and sending them out the door, and I think if providers dug deep into the cause of the symptoms instead of just treating the symptoms, that would make our healthcare system much better. So consistently I have watched patients suffer due to the negligence of health care workers. Many hospital workers are not only just in it for the money, but they don't truly care about helping others. If I could make this change I would. As I am finishing up my Respiratory Therapist degree, I want to help make this change, I want to make sure I hear my patients fully, and I do not make judgments, and I allow for provider collaboration to help build the bride to give our patients the best care possible.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I never was the best student back in my younger days, I felt like I did not have a purpose in life, I felt like I was running around not making anything of myself, and I felt lost. I was wondering what my purpose was going to be in life. I was not happy in my life at all. My life took a quick turn when to my surprise I had my son Levi at 22 years old. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I finally knew what my purpose was. When I had Levi, I did it alone, I still do it alone. I wanted to be able to provide for him in every way possible, but school just was not for me, I could not afford it, I didn’t have all the motivation, and I was comfortable. I work at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, I thought that was supposed to be my forever job, but we were living pay check to paycheck and were struggling. Covid-19 had hit and that just wiped us out. 2021 came around and we decided to move to Arizona, we have been adjusting our life still to this day. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not know for what. I decided to get a job here at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist and I also worked as transport. I got to work with the Respiratory Therapist up close. I always have wanted to do something important in healthcare to help people as I have a past medical history myself with having over 7 surgeries, so I enjoy bringing sunshine to people when they are in the dark place such as the hospital waiting for answers. Drawing blood just was not enough for me, I decided to go to my local Pima Medical Institute and see what programs they offered. Respiratory Therapy seemed like something I would grow to be passionate about and I was right. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. It gets hard trying to split my time. Financially it has been hard, I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship, because it would help more than you know. I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. I want him to know how hard I worked to be able to provide him with a good life as he did not ask to be here. I do everything in my power to make sure he is loved and supported. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and reading this essay.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I never was the best student back in my younger days, I felt like I did not have a purpose in life, I felt like I was running around not making anything of myself, and I felt lost. I was wondering what my purpose was going to be in life. I was not happy in my life at all. My life took a quick turn when to my surprise I had my son Levi at 22 years old. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I finally knew what my purpose was. When I had Levi, I did it alone, I still do it alone. I wanted to be able to provide for him in every way possible, but school just was not for me, I could not afford it, I didn’t have all the motivation, and I was comfortable. I work at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, I thought that was supposed to be my forever job, but we were living pay check to paycheck and were struggling. Covid-19 had hit and that just wiped us out. 2021 came around and we decided to move to Arizona, we have been adjusting our life still to this day. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not know for what. I decided to get a job here at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist and I also worked as transport. I got to work with the Respiratory Therapist up close. I always have wanted to do something important in healthcare to help people as I have a past medical history myself with having over 7 surgeries, so I enjoy bringing sunshine to people when they are in the dark place such as the hospital waiting for answers. Drawing blood just was not enough for me, I decided to go to my local Pima Medical Institute and see what programs they offered. Respiratory Therapy seemed like something I would grow to be passionate about and I was right. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. It gets hard trying to split my time. Financially it has been hard, I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship, because it would help more than you know. I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. I want him to know how hard I worked to be able to provide him with a good life as he did not ask to be here. I do everything in my power to make sure he is loved and supported. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and reading this essay.

My name is Emily Long and I am a 27 year old Respiratory Therapist student, I have 9 months remaining until graduation. I never was the best student back in my younger days, I felt like I did not have a purpose in life, I felt like I was running around not making anything of myself, and I felt lost. I was wondering what my purpose was going to be in life. I was not happy in my life at all. My life took a quick turn when to my surprise I had my son Levi at 22 years old. The moment I looked into his eyes when he was born, I finally knew what my purpose was. When I had Levi, I did it alone, I still do it alone. I wanted to be able to provide for him in every way possible, but school just was not for me, I could not afford it, I didn’t have all the motivation, and I was comfortable. I work at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist, I thought that was supposed to be my forever job, but we were living pay check to paycheck and were struggling. Covid-19 had hit and that just wiped us out. 2021 came around and we decided to move to Arizona, we have been adjusting our life still to this day. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not know for what. I decided to get a job here at the Hospital as a Phlebotomist and I also worked as transport. I got to work with the Respiratory Therapist up close. I always have wanted to do something important in healthcare to help people as I have a past medical history myself with having over 7 surgeries, so I enjoy bringing sunshine to people when they are in the dark place such as the hospital waiting for answers. Drawing blood just was not enough for me, I decided to go to my local Pima Medical Institute and see what programs they offered. Respiratory Therapy seemed like something I would grow to be passionate about and I was right. I started school in June of 2023, and I fell in love with Respiratory. I have loved school for the first time in my life, I have enjoyed what I am learning. I go to school in person 5 days a week, and I still am trying to work full-time as I have to provide for my son, and with doing school and work, I am still trying to be the best mother I can possibly be. It gets hard trying to split my time. Financially it has been hard, I want to be able to come out of school without having too much student loan debt, which is why I am applying for this scholarship, because it would help more than you know. I want to show Levi that no matter what you are going through in life, you will find your purpose, you can do and achieve anything you want. I want him to know how hard I worked to be able to provide him with a good life as he did not ask to be here. I do everything in my power to make sure he is loved and supported. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and reading this essay.

I thought I was too old to go back to school at 27 years old, but I knew I had little eyes looking at me. He did not ask to be here and so I realized I needed to provide for him in the best way I possibly can financially, mentally, and physically I wanted to show him that no matter what you are facing in life, you can over come the challenges. I decided to pursue an Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy, I have 9 months left. It has been hard mentally, financially, and physically. I have worked full-time, gone to school in person full-time, and have tried to be the best mom I can possible be for my 5 year old. We haven't had the easiest time for the last year. We were evicted from our apartment and I felt like the biggest failure. I am so grateful for my parents who were there to take us in as I finish school I hope to show him, that you truly can do anything you set your mind to and that nothing can stand in your way. When I finish school I will be working as a Respiratory Therapist in the hospital helping sick patients recover. Not only will I have a good career with good pay, the best part is I will have a lot more time to spend with my son Levi. I hope that one day he can see that I worked very hard to give him the best possible life. During school I have kept a 3.6 GPA and have received all A's and B's. That has taken a lot of self-improvement as I never have been the greatest at school as far as my grades and paying attention. When I started school in June 2023, my son was diagnosed with Autism, this was challenging for me, as all I wanted to do was stay home with him and help him learn and be prepared for this world one day. Instead I chose to push through and make the sacrifice for him. His dad was never in his life, so it was hard not having his support through these last 6 years. When I walk across the graduation stage, I will be in tears because I never thought this would be something I could make it through. I can not wait for my son to watch my walk across, as he will know how hard I worked, and that no matter what age you are, what you're going through, what your situation is, you can complete and succeed at anything you give your best to. Thank you for reading this and thank you for considering me for this scholarship. This would help in so many ways.