"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to serve God by becoming a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I also live with hypermobility and chronic pain in my feet and hips. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people, to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to join the medical field somehow to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year. During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find friendship. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets (hip dysplasia). My freshman year I found out that I had deformities in both of my feet. I spent the entire year on a knee scooter as I went through reconstructive surgeries. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far and will be having 2 major hip surgeries this upcoming year (one before and one after my freshman year of college). I live with daily, chronic pain but have learned to soak up the life and joy around me in spite of it. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. I have three other siblings who have serious medical conditions which means my parents have lots of medical bills to cover. Because of my disability and limited mobility, I needed to choose a small school. These funds would help me greatly in pursuing my dreams!

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year. During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find friendship. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets (hip dysplasia). My freshman year I found out that I had deformities in both of my feet. I spent the entire year on a knee scooter as I went through reconstructive surgeries. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far and will be having 2 major hip surgeries this upcoming year (one before and one after my freshman year of college). I live with daily, chronic pain but have learned to soak up the life and joy around me in spite of it. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. I have three other siblings who have serious medical conditions which means my parents have lots of medical bills to cover. Because of my disability and limited mobility, I needed to choose a small school. These funds would help me greatly in pursuing my dreams!

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year. During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find friendship. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets (hip dysplasia). My freshman year I found out that I had deformities in both of my feet. I spent the entire year on a knee scooter as I went through reconstructive surgeries. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far and will be having 2 major hip surgeries this upcoming year (one before and one after my freshman year of college). I live with daily, chronic pain but have learned to soak up the life and joy around me in spite of it. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to be able to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. I have three other siblings who have serious medical conditions which means my parents have lots of medical bills to cover. Because of my disability and limited mobility, I needed to choose a small school. These funds would help me greatly in pursuing my dreams!

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets (hip dysplasia). My freshman year of high school I found out that I had deformities in both of my feet. I spent the entire year on a knee scooter as I went through reconstructive surgeries. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far and will be having 2 major hip surgeries this upcoming year (one before and one after my freshman year of college). I live with daily, chronic pain but have learned to soak up the life and joy around me in spite of it. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far and will have two major hip surgeries this next year (before and after my freshman year of college). I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp in Oregon. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Due to these experiences, I have struggled with significant anxiety both in medical and social settings. I have worked hard in therapy to learn my body's cues and how to calm my nervous system. I am still on the shy side but now try to use these cues as an encouragement to find other people who might be feeling anxious and befriend them. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Due to all of this, I struggle with significant anxiety both in social and medical settings. I have worked through tons of therapy to learn how to listen to the cues of my body and to calm my nervous system. I still tend to be on the shy side but now use it to find other people who are nervous and befriend them. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was adopted into a transracial family with 4 children (3 from China and one Biological). I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying, so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies. Oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open-heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to home school on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family, we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. To look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All the time, I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think these would be the things that remain, but actually, it is all the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to become a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

The Girl with the Limp The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. I moved to Sisters, Oregon right after my second hip surgery and have been known by many as the Chinese girl with a limp. Being mobility impaired has meant that there are some things that I just cannot do. If you have been to Sisters, you know that much of the social happenings surround sports. I did cheerleading my freshman year but the next year the coach moved away and the team disbanded. The thing that I found to lean into was choir. In choir I found a quirky group of people who didn't mind waiting up for me, or pushing me around when I was in a wheelchair. They loved me for who I am and gave me space to discover who I wanted to be. They cheered me on through solos and leading parts in musicals. They came around me and sent a million messages when I was in the hospital. They taught me what friendship in a small town can be. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. They deserve someone in their lives who can cheer them on like the choir in my small town cheered for me. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year. We began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. When I was 9, we found out that I had hip dysplasia. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp in Oregon. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. My freshman year of high school I had to have both feet reconstructed. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. I know that these are ambitious goals and that it will take many years as well as a big financial commitment to get there. In my life I have had many medical challenges. Although my journey has not been easy, I have learned the power of a caring adult in the medical world of children. I want to use my life to give hope to children who are going through things far too big for them to handle.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets (hip dysplasia). At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp in Oregon. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. My freshman year of high school I learned that I had deformities in both of my feet. I spent most of the year in a wheelchair or on a knee scooter while having both feet reconstructed. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I am about to enter another season of reconstructive hip surgeries, one before college starts and one the summer after my freshman year of college. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Through this journey I have learned the power of someone taking time and truly seeing and caring for the patient in front of them. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. I know that these are ambitious goals and that it will take many years as well as a big financial commitment to get there. In my life I have had many medical challenges. Although my journey has not been easy, I have learned the power of a caring adult in the medical world of children. I want to use my life to give hope to children who are going through things far too big for them to handle. This scholarship would help me greatly in achieving that goal.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My freshman year of high school I found out that I also had deformities in my feet and needed reconstructive surgery on both feet. At the same time I was nominated to the Dream Factory of Oregon to be granted a dream trip. My dream was to see a play on Broadway in New York. My family and I flew to New York and our very first night there saw Wicked. I had never seen anything like it before and was absolutely captivated by the talent and the story. The soundtrack literally carried me through those two grueling surgeries and recoveries. My friends and I would blast 'Defying Gravity' and even though I couldn't walk, I felt like I could fly. Wicked is all about overcoming differences and what others think about you. It is about finding strength within yourself to own your story. My goal is to become a Pediatric Occupational therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. This scholarship would help me as I run towards this goal.

For me, Santa Claus lives in Mexico and I got to serve kids with him. My family spent six weeks every winter camping on a beach in Baja. One day we literally met Santa. His real name was Roy and he had a big bushy beard with a round belly to match. Roy ran a small church that met on the beach and focused on helping Mexican families in any way that they could. They also did a yearly, week-long Santa Claus trip to remote goat ranches and fishing villages along the Pacific side of Baja. Our family joined on many of these trips. Our little caravan of cars, tent camping along the way. It was a simple mission made up of second hand donations and cooking over campfires each night. Roy was the only Santa these villages had ever known. They would alert each other over marine radio shouting "Santa Claus esta aqui!" We would hand out food, toys, reading glasses and hand knit caps while others talked with the teachers and pastors to see what the village needed. I would stand right next to Santa handing out toothbrushes or first aid kits. Each child would sit on his lap and he would stare into their faces while his eyes crinkled into a smile. It seemed like in that moment, those children felt like the most precious people on earth. Roy taught me to truly see people, to care because I could and to help wherever I can. As I have grown up, these trips have made me want to prioritize volunteering in my own community too. I grew up always being a part of Young Life. The most important part of Young Life is the leaders who pour into the lives of kids. For so much of my life, I have had caring adults who want to know about me and are genuinely interested in my life. In high school, I had the opportunity to become a Young Life leader to middle school girls. For the last 4 years, I have mentored middle school girls by taking them to camp and helping lead a small group for them. If you do not know, middle schoolers can be challenging to hang out with! I tend to be a little bit shy so it hasn't been easy but I have come to really care about these girls. The girls that I first led are now freshmen and it is fun to see them around school and to be a safe place where they can come if they need it. One girl in particular, has a really challenging home life which sometimes presents in her own challenging behaviors. At camp last summer, she got to the point where none of the girls wanted to hang out with her. So I started to just sit with her and to talk. Now at events she seeks me out. I love that she knows that in a crowd, she has a safe person to be with. My hope is that I have left Sisters better by creating safe places for these girls.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to join the medical field somehow to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no ones checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to join the medical field somehow to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children, to show them compassion and hope along the way. I hope to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can. This is my passion because I was that child rolling through the halls of the hospital. In my life I have had many medical challenges. I have had 14 major surgeries including open heart surgery, complete hip reconstruction and reconstruction of both feet. I have spent months in the hospital. This has caused deep struggles with anxiety in my life. There were so many things that I had to do. I have spent a long time with a really incredible therapist who has helped me understand the source of this anxiety and how to utilize breathing and body awareness exercises to help. Although my journey has not been easy, I have learned the power of a caring adult. This is my 'why', I want to make the burden lighter for children like me. I want to use my life to give hope to children who are going through things far too big for them to handle. Part of the reason that I want to go into Pediatric Physical or Occupational therapy is so that I can support kids as they go through tough battles. I know how hard it can be to be a little kid in a big medical world. The thing that I want most is to show compassion and understanding to these kids to hopefully help them to feel seen and safe. I believe that children who go through challenging medical journeys are some of the strongest individuals in the world. They deserve every bit of care that we can wrap around them.

I have grown up in a Christian family that has been deeply involved in ministry. I cannot remember a time when I did not know about Jesus. This has been a gift and also has caused me to struggle. It has taken me some time to work through whether my faith is because of my parents or what I truly believe. I have spent the last two summers serving at Young Life camp on Work Crew in the housekeeping departments. As a team we did Bible studies, prayer sessions and just spent time talking about our questions. During that time my faith in Jesus shifted to something that is mine. The fact that Jesus died for me, loves me and walks with me means everything to me. I have been very involved in Young Life. My family lived at one of the summer camps for 2 years when I was in elementary school. We then moved to Sisters, Oregon so that my mom could start up Young Life there. I was a Young Life student starting in 6th grade. Hardly missed an event. I first became a Wyld Life (middle school young life) leader in 9th grade. I took 6th grade girls to camp and then have been leading them in small group Bible studies ever since. They are now freshmen and it is so fun to watch their faith grow. I am going to George Fox University (a Christian University) in the Fall. A large part of my decisions was because I want to grow in my faith. I know that there is so much that I still need to learn. I am really excited to have professors who will mentor me and teach in a way that puts their faith at the center. My hope is that my whole life will be ministering to kids who are going through hard medical journeys. At George Fox I can do a dual major in Theology and Kinesiology so that I can learn how to care for bodies and hearts as well. I am stepping into this journey with open hands to allow God to direct me as I go. I have spent time at George Fox learning about the opportunities there. My hope is to do a dual major in Theology/Ministry and Kinesiology. I was so excited when I found out that I could do that! I want my life to be spent serving the Lord with kids with medical challenges. I also plan to join George Fox's small groups, their intercultural Bible study and their mentorship program.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no ones checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to join the medical field somehow to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no ones checks a dying baby's hips I guess. At the time, we were living at a remote summer camp. So remote that after my surgeries at CHLA, I had to be flown back to camp. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have so many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be the things that remain but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way. The friends who sent knock-knock jokes. Nurses who lingered to talk and child-life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. My goal is to join the medical field as a Physical or Occupational Therapist to be able to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years of my life in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be what remained but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way: friends who sent knock-knock jokes, nurses who lingered to talk and therapists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Having a heart condition and mobility issues has not been easy. It has meant sitting on the sidelines during PE and playing catch up in classes missed because of surgeries. I have learned that my path looks different than others but one of the hidden gifts is that I can look through eyes of understanding at the challenges of others. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years of my life in an orphanage and in foster care in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. Our family has served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages and in remote mountain schools. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have a choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be what remained but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way: friends who sent knock-knock jokes, nurses who lingered to talk and therapists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Experiencing institutionalization as well as challenging medical issues has made me realize that I come at life a bit differently than my peers. Daily I encounter anxieties surrounding fear of rejection and a feeling that I need to 'fend for myself.' I have worked hard in therapy to learn ways to work through the moments when my anxiety threatens to take over. I am aware that this will be a lifelong journey for me. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to show children compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years of my life in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be what remained but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way: friends who sent knock-knock jokes, nurses who lingered to talk and Child-Life specialists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Having a heart condition and mobility issues has not been easy. It has meant sitting on the sidelines during PE and playing catch up in classes missed because of surgeries. I have learned that my path looks different than others but one of the hidden gifts is that I can look through eyes of understanding at the challenges of others. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.

"Big Room, Lots of Babies. So I Sing!" The part of my story that I know about begins in rural China. I spent my first two years of my life in an orphanage in Guangxi Province. I was born with a serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Because my orphanage was very rural, they did not have a way to get me medical help. They tried their best by keeping me in the baby room and giving me IV's in my head. My mom says that one of the first things I shared when I learned English was, "Big room, lots of babies. Babies crying so I sing!" I also shared, "Big room, lots of babies: oh no, bugs coming. No help Mama, no help." I learned early that life can bring a bittersweet mixture of hard things as well as opportunities to bring light to those places. I feel like that describes me well. I care a lot about children who are hurting and love to use my voice to make people happy. As I got close to my second birthday, my heart began to fail. God did big miracles to keep me alive and for my parents to be able to get me to America for emergency open heart surgery. I have had 6 different heart surgeries in my life. My family did not put me in a bubble. They actually dragged me to Baja to homeschool on a remote beach for 6 weeks every year (starting at age 2). During these trips, we began to discover orphanages where we would stay and help. I have so many pictures of little me being carried around by teenage girls at these places. My siblings and I learned not to look down on kids in hard situations, but instead to step in and help our friends. As a family we have served up and down Baja, in goat ranches and fishing villages, remote mountain schools and children's programs. I am so thankful for this non-traditional upbringing. I feel like it has taught me to truly see people. to look past our differences and to find the heart. When I was 9, we found out that I was born without hip sockets. Turns out no one checks a dying baby's hips, I guess. I have had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I have many memories of the pain and the fear. All of the times that I didn't have choice and had to do the next blood draw, IV or procedure. You would think this would be what remained but actually, it is all of the little kindnesses along the way: friends who sent knock-knock jokes, nurses who lingered to talk and therapists that blew bubbles to distract me. All of it added up to this mosaic of caring written into my heart. Having a heart condition and mobility issues has not been easy. It has meant sitting on the sidelines during PE and playing catch up in classes missed because of surgeries. I have learned that my path looks different than others but one of the hidden gifts is that I can look through eyes of understanding at the challenges of others. My goal is to be a Pediatric Physical or Occupational Therapist to help children and to show them compassion and hope along the way. I want to be the person to look them in the eyes, to hear their hopes and calm their fears. I want to fight with all that I am to help them live the best lives that they can.