I was diagnosed with epilepsy in the summer of 2020, and it was one of the most challenging times in my life. I was a senior in high school, stuck finishing classes online, and had started having grand mal seizures seemingly out of nowhere. After some diagnostic testing, I was diagnosed with Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and that meant I had been having myoclonic seizures throughout high school. With everything going on around me, this diagnosis was just an added pressure. I was lost and confused, but knew that the world doesn't stop for anyone. My mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was in middle school, and I've always admired how she didn't let it stop her from being true to herself. To make it through that first year of medication and graduating high school, I found myself thinking about how strong my mom was able to be, and I knew I could be just as strong. At first, it was nearly impossible; I couldn't leave the house much because of the pandemic, and I couldn't drive for 6 months at a time every time I had a seizure. There were a solid two months where I truly let it get to me - all I could do was sit at home and try to stay busy with finishing my senior year online. The first half of the semester was awful; everything was completely remote, and my medication was kicking my ass. I could barely sit online for more than 15 minutes due to a severe concussion and had constant brain fog from my new medication. I pushed as hard as I could and completed the classes I needed. Once the second semester crept closer, the school made plans to have us in person periodically and split into groups. That gave me something to look forward to and work towards. The time finally came, and I was able to see people I hadn't seen in months. It was like a breath of fresh air, I wasn't in a hospital or my house for the first time in ages. People were approaching me and offering their support for my epilepsy diagnosis, and let me know they'd always be there for me. For the first time in months, I had people who weren't family or doctors telling me how much they care, and it still sits with me today. I graduated from high school on a football field in the sun, which, for an environmental science major, was the perfect setting. I write this essay for the first time, truly reflecting on how that one diagnosis has made me grow into the person that I am. For the first 2 years, that diagnosis controlled my every choice. Where I went to college, when I could work, living with my parents, and the number of times I had to ask to be driven to places. Once I got the seizures under control, I had gained a new perspective. I realized just how quickly my life could change, and I've grown into the kind of person who will say yes to any new challenge. I want to explore and do great things, and show people that neurological conditions are not the end of the world.

My mom inspired me to pursue a degree in STEM. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was in middle school, and her life did a complete 180. She had to stop working and start going to multiple doctors' appointments in a week, and figure out a medication that would work for her. Being so young, it was difficult to watch and even more difficult to understand. Once I was in high school and had a better understanding of her condition, I started having seizures myself. After some testing, I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and had to reconfigure my life, but recalling my experiences with my mom, I was able to adjust pretty well. About two years had passed, I was done with high school, and my seizures were under control. With this newfound freedom, I decided to plan a road trip out to Colorado to explore the Rockies. I remember finding out about the Manitou Incline, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and all the different trails in the Rockies. I was so excited about planning this trip and updating my parents on all the logistics, and I remember how supportive they were. Two days before my trip, I had lunch with my mom. She told me how proud she was of how far I had come and how she wished she could do what I do, how I was able to overcome my epilepsy situation, work, and buy my own car, and plan this amazing trip so far away from Michigan. She told me how much she wished her diagnosis didn't hold her back so much, and how she should've taken advantage of traveling when it was easier for her. I was so upset after the conversation, thinking about how my mom had missed out on so much life because of having my sisters and me, and then getting sick. When I got back from my trip, I felt like a new person. I had a newfound love for the outdoors in a way that I didn't know was possible. After reflecting on the trip, that conversation with my mom, and how everything was feeling at the time, I decided I wanted a career in nature conservation. I want to advocate for the environment, and for everyone to be able to have access to the environment in a safe and meaningful way. When I have thoughts like that, I know that I need to act on them. I know that I won't always have perfect health and all the time in the world, so I enrolled at Washtenaw Community College and started my degree in environmental science. My mom, to this day, tells everyone about all the trips I've gone on and how proud of me she is for my passion in this field. I try my best to take her to new experiences like concerts or animal sanctuaries, and make sure she knows that she's the reason I'm able to push through any troubles that arise. I cannot wait to continue my education and show her just how unstoppable I can be.

I'm interested in both nature conservation and zoology which go very hand in hand. I grew up spending my time outdoors and have traveled to many national parks, which inspired me to study environmental science. I recently participated in an online fellowship program focused on zoology where I studied the importance that red pandas and the Himalayas have on the environment. That experience has helped me better understand what direction I'd like to move in with my studies. I would also like to do future work in promoting spending time outdoors and outdoor safety. When I was 17 I got diagnosed with epilepsy and was worried about what that would mean for my future in school and spending time outdoors since I would hike alone at times. After some time I have a way better understanding of how to take care of my health and enjoy nature, I'd like to one day educate others on the importance of managing your health and how time outdoors can be beneficial for those with disabilities.

I feel I'm very skilled in communications and understanding others, I'd go as far as to say it's a talent of mine. I've been a barista for the past 6 years and my experience working in coffee has taught me many valuable lessons. Within my first year at my cafe I became very close with many regulars and my coworkers and I still carry those friendships with me to this day. I had one interaction where a customer came in and I greeted her with the usual, "how're you today!" and she immediately broke down in tears. She began to tell me about some medical news she had received and how she was coming to get a coffee to cheer herself up and pointed out that our pastries looked really good. I gave her a coffee and cookie for free and told her she's welcome to come by for coffee and a chat whenever she needed tp. She came back in a few days later with some friends and told them how much of a difference I made in her day. Interactions like that have stuck with me for years now and have changed how I approach my interactions with people. I do the training for new baristas at my cafe now and I do my best to make sure they know that helping customers goes past the basic interactions, when you work at a local community coffee shop you are integrated into that community and should know how to support those around you. I make sure they know that there is no script for human interaction, sure you take someone's order but you ask them how their morning is going, how school or work is going, go more than just surface level when the situation allows. I'd like to use my combination of studying environmental science and my experience the cafe world to educate people on the importance of community. One specific thing I'm working towards is creating a group at my cafe that gets involved with local and state parks. I'd like to be able to educate my community about the importance of spending time outside, things to do outdoors, and how to safely camp, hike, and fish. I've had a few people close to me in my life that I've taken hiking and fishing and they always tell me how much it means to them and that sticks with me. I want to be able to extend these experiences to others, and I feel these small steps will help build a more empathetic community overall.

I've spent my whole life enjoying the outdoors in so many ways. My dad took us fishing, hiking, camping, you name an outdoor adventure and we've probably done it. This has continued on throughout my life and now that I'm older, I spend my free time traveling to National Parks. Throughout my studies of environmental science I've gained a better insight to how important it is that more people take part in recycling and practicing more sustainable lifestyles so we can help fight against climate change. One thing that I'd advocate for is getting rid of plastic bags in grocery stores, I see them all over the place in every state park I've been to, and it's horrible for wild life and the ecosystem of that area. Major corporations may be some of the key contributors to pollution and trash build up, but as consumers we have a responsibility to purchase responsibly and take back control of the market. As individuals we need to be seeking out brands that are ecofriendly and advocate for the environment, not companies that are trying to cut down the amazon rainforest. We need to push for more education for the general public about how individual actions can play a large role in climate change over time. I think people tend to stick to the mindset of "I'm just one person, I can't change much" but all it takes is one person in a friend group to start to help shift others mindsets.

Technology has been damaging to people's ability to build true connections. I've worked as a barista for the past 6 years and have made life long friends between coworkers and customers that I see on a daily basis. I think the core to preserving human connection is the ability to converse with anyone about anything. Customers often come in just to tell me about what's going on in their lives whether it be going to get groceries and clean the house, or about a health concern or death in the family. Now more than ever people need to disconnect from the false realities being posted online, and talk to one another when struggling or when happy and excited. Human connection is much deeper than liking a post online or tweeting a random thought, it's noticing your neighbors new plants, a bird you've never seen before, trying a new form of art, and doing these things with the people around you. I'm in charge of planning events for the cafe and nothing is more rewarding than seeing people build new friendships and explore new hobbies just because I planned a pumpkin carving party at my cafe. We need more community engagement and excitement. We need to go beyond the surface level interactions and delve deeper with book clubs and painting nights, giving people an opportunity to use their hands and ask others for help. I believe that cafes and public libraries are going to be the essential pieces to building back up communities. If people can find the courage to step away from their phones and go experience something new, even if it's uncomfortable or not photographed. One major interruption seems to be the need for things to be pretty and aesthetically appealing, people no longer do things because they want to. They do it to take a picture and say they did it. We're losing ourselves in a mess of sloppy pictures online and inability to build authentic connections with people around us. I love talking with my customers about their lives and I can feel the back and forth communication, when I don't show up for a certain shift people immediately start asking about me. When one of my regulars doesn't show up when they typically would we immediately ask around to make sure they're ok. We recently had one of our 50 year old regulars commit suicide - he had a farm called Growth Works and was a beloved member of the community. I didn't hear about it on social media, I heard about it from his heartbroken friends coming in to the cafe looking for a place of comfort and to find community support. These past weeks have proven to me that human connection is beyond essential. Technology is driving people further and further apart, pushing extreme beliefs on political subjects, health topics, and scientific topics using language that doesn't make sense to the average person. We're all losing our grip on how to respect one another and it's scary to watch play out. I hope that my advocation for community events at my cafe can help inspire others to cafes around me to do the same. The communities need it now more than ever.