My grandmother crawled in bed as I was sleeping early one morning. I was in the eighth grade. She was there to hold me close and tell me my dad suffered a bilateral brain stem stroke and was on a respirator. “Will he be ok”, I asked. The answer broke me. He will not recover, we can go say goodbye but he will not recover. My name is Grace Doss and that defining moment of my life that began as a series of heart wrenching pain is what has formed the young woman I am today. Following my father’s death, I gained 60 pounds in a year. I was depressed. My grades, that had always been good, began to decline rapidly. My mother was in no better shape than me. I believe she suffered a psychological break and would not seek help. I was alone, sad, and isolated myself from friends. At the request of my therapist I moved in with my grandmother (my father’s mom) for a period of time. I began on a journey of recovering from the life trauma that had changed my world. I started on a fitness routine, changed my eating habits, went to therapy and slowly began to feel better and more hopeful. This life changing event layed the ground work for the career I will pursue. I intend to obtain a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy with emphasis on children and young adults. I have already been involved in play therapy and occupational therapy with children as a volunteer. My therapist helped me so much to pull myself up and see a brighter future . I am driven and motivated to pay that forward to my community. I am from a small community outside of Wichita, Kansas. I believe that all obstacles in life can be overcome with perseverance, resolve, and help from others. I have empathy for those that suffer without support. Many times during the most difficult times adults suffer and can not help their children by being supportive. I want to be that support for those they need me. The road will not be fast or easy but I am up for the challenge. I want to make a difference. My difference will not be life changing for the world but more importantly, life changing one individual at a time. The human spirit is what needs lifted for all of us to attain our potential. Please consider me for this scholarship and thank you for this opportunity.