In March of 2023, my dad received his final diagnosis of the worst possible outcome, ALS. He got sick right before my birthday back in September with meningitis. When he was released from the hospital his speech was slurred, so the doctors suspected a possible stroke during his emergency surgery. Fast forward back to March, when my mom suffered a stroke. I left school early that day to be with her, my dad, and my sister. When I arrived at the hospital room I immediately hugged my sweet mom, but then my dad had me step out to talk to me. This was the first time I witnessed him cry, which was very out of character for him. With his slurred speech he told me his doctor suspects he has a terminal illness called ALS. Now at this point, I was in so much shock my heart physically hurt. My sweet father is a retired fire chief, paramedic, and veteran, and ALS is more common in ex-soldiers and law enforcement. I am fortunate to have had him watch me graduate high school. The summer after senior year is when he started to quickly deteriorate. Since his diagnosis, he has lost his ability to walk, speak, and eat, and has had an extremely difficult time breathing. I have gone to every single one of his doctor appointments just to gather any information I can to help him. Knowing the pace of his progression and him being our main income of the family I worked 40 hours a week to try and help pay for my schooling this year. Along with working, I have been a caregiver to him since we don’t have any nearby family and to help take the load off my mom when I can. I lift him out of bed every morning and get all his medicine for the day. My mom has to bathe him since he no longer can for himself, and my sister comes to the rescue anytime needed. His mobility chair alone costs thousands of dollars even after insurance, ALS medication is not covered by insurance, walkers, pulley systems to get him up, medical bed, in-home health visits, and much more have added in cost beyond what we have. Since ALS gives no warning, I had to unexpectedly take out a loan to pay for my college. ALS is a terrible disease that nobody should have to go through. My dad dedicated his entire life to helping people, to see him in this state is the worst thing to ever happen to me. I have applied to countless scholarships and never heard back. I just want to relieve the financial burden as much as possible. I am a full-time student at my dream school The University of Tennessee and go home many times a week to see my sweet father because I know he doesn’t have much longer. My father is almost 70, he adopted me when I was just a baby. I owe it to him to make him proud and I will. I changed my major to speech pathology shortly after his diagnosis and will dedicate my life to ALS research. Receiving this scholarship will substantially aid the student debt and financial burden my mom will be left with. When my father's time is up I will honor him in every way possible. Thank you to whomever is reading this for your time and I truly hope you consider me for this scholarship.