I feel like many abusive patterns start showing up in the teenage years. With those being such sensitive years, it is so important for people to see what some common red flags are when it comes to domestic violence. If more teenagers were aware of what signs of being overly controlling and manipulation looked like, it could help them understand what to look out for. Due to what I went through as a teenager, I have made a point to try and share my story, in hopes of educating others. I even wrote and applied for a Ted Talk, in hopes of getting the word out. I also did volunteer work for RAINN, and learned so much through them in watching all of the different things they bring to different communities. In helping teenagers and adults build their confidence, I also believe that can make a huge difference. So many abusers can target those who may have just gone through something traumatic, or have low self-esteem about themselves. They believe this can help them manipulate the person more easily. If we had more options and people for teenagers to talk to and work with when it comes to navigating those "awkward" years, it could help them gain more confidence in themselves and their decisions. With my goal with my degree having to do with the entertainment industry, I would love to provide something different for artists, especially women. In the entertainment industry, so many people use their connections and "power" to put artists in uncomfortable situations. I would love to be able to use my platform and agency to help artists understand their rights, laws, and how to navigate the entertainment industry. My goal is to help artists believe in themselves and know their worth, to help prevent them (to the best of my ability) to getting taken advantage of in any way. With using my personal experience and platform, I want to educate the younger generation, but also try and help reduce the stigma around survivors. Just because someone was abused in some way, does not mean they are broken. It does not mean they are weak, or less than. I believe if we try and eliminate the stigma and shame that comes with abuse, more people will come forward. In coming forward, not only does that try and have justice served against the abuser, but it brings more awareness to domestic violence as a whole.

For the past 2 years I have been the caregiver for my grandmother. After her husband passed away, we moved her in with myself, husband and son. She has Parkinson's, diabetes, and dementia. She is unable to drive, bathe, cook, pay bills, etc. I have been providing all of the care in those areas, as well as trying to navigate outings that she can still be a part of. I am keeping up with her doctors appointments, medications and injections daily. Once I stepped in as a caregiver, my goals and dreams got pushed aside for awhile. In that it has been so eye opening how little support the elderly/retired community is offered when parts of themselves are no longer able to work. It also has been so eye opening in how much we truly take for granted. We so easily brush off running errands, cooking a meal, taking a shower, because we do these things so often. When that independence that you once had is taken away from you, it is a whole new world. It has given me a new appreciation not only for the life and health I have, but for being able to see the world through a new lens. It has also been such a unique experience for my son (who is 3), to be raised around his grandmother, and hear her stories. In becoming my grandmother's caregiver, I quit work and school. I applied for IHSS to help bring in income while taking care of her, but unfortunately was denied. We have been a family of 4 functioning off of my husbands income, and grandmother's retirement to get by. In doing so, we have had to become very flexible and creative in our day to day. I am finally at a point, and my son is at an age, that going back to school and following my passion is an option. Unfortunately, because of our family income, there are very limited avenues when it comes to student loans. If I was able to receive scholarships to help pay for the costs of continuing my education, and receiving my degree, it would truly be life changing. I honestly crave having a career I can work in daily, and be a part of. In our society, especially now, it is so easy to feel like you lose your identity when you become a parent. In being a parent and caregiver, as rewarding as it is, I would love to have something of my own.

In 2016 (months after I got married), I was diagnosed with Bipolar. In getting diagnosed, and finding the right "cocktail" of medications, was so hard on not just me as a person, but my relationships. It took 2 years of being treated like a guinea pig to finally feel like I could find some balance. Going through all of that, and still managing my day to day, it gave me a different outlook on so many different avenues. Firstly, it gave me an appreciation for my husband, that I didn't know was possible. He stuck by my side through some awful lows, and held my hand through my crying myself to sleep, wishing I could feel like myself again. He showed me a love and understanding I didn't know was possible. Through a time I felt like I was trapped in someone else's body, he knew "I was in there." Through going through the ups and downs, I have received so much guidance in different avenues of therapy, journaling and shadow work. I feel like it has gotten me to a point where I no longer feel like I am working against Bipolar, but working with it. Society puts so much stigma around anything categorized as a "mental illness," that people are quiet about and can feel embarrassed. I am at a point where I am open about my story, what I've done (the good and the bad), and the steps I have taken to get me where I am today. Although completing college has been taking me much longer than anticipated, life's curveballs, this included, has given me so much more motivation and inspiration to pursue my dreams, and not give up. In now being a parent of our 3 year old son, I feel honored for him to see and hear about how I have navigated everything, and still achieve my dream career. To be able to have such a strong foundation at home, show up for my son daily, and continue my path in school, I truly feel like is an honor. I know that is not the case for some. If I am able to inspire my family, friends and anyone else I come to meet a long the way with what I have gone through, and getting to this side of it, it is all truly a bonus. Not every day is going to be easy, it hasn't been up until this point, but it can be constantly worth it. I believe when you do things out of inspiration and desperation, you can find many wins along the way, and daily I am inspired.

1. For the past 2 years I have been the caregiver for my grandmother. After her husband passed away, we moved her in with myself, husband and son. She has Parkinson's, diabetes, and dementia. She is unable to drive, bathe, cook, pay bills, etc. I have been providing all of the care in those areas, as well as trying to navigate outings that she can still be a part of. I am keeping up with her doctors appointments, medications and injections daily. 2. Once I stepped in as a caregiver, my goals and dreams got pushed aside for awhile. In that it has been so eye opening how little support the elderly/retired community is offered when parts of themselves are no longer able to work. It also has been so eye opening in how much we truly take for granted. We so easily brush off running errands, cooking a meal, taking a shower, because we do these things so often. When that independence that you once had is taken away from you, it is a whole new world. It has given me a new appreciation not only for the life and health I have, but for being able to see the world through a new lens. It has also been such a unique experience for my son (who is 3), to be raised around his grandmother, and hear her stories. 3. In becoming my grandmother's caregiver, I quit work and school. I applied for IHSS to help bring in income while taking care of her, but unfortunately was denied. We have been a family of 4 functioning off of my husbands income, and grandmother's retirement to get by. In doing so, we have had to become very flexible and creative in our day to day. I am finally at a point, and my son is at an age, that going back to school and following my passion is an option. Unfortunately, because of our family income, there are very limited avenues when it comes to student loans. If I was able to receive scholarships to help pay for the costs of continuing my education, and receiving my degree, it would truly be life changing. I honestly crave having a career I can work in daily, and be a part of. In our society, especially now, it is so easy to feel like you lose your identity when you become a parent. In being a parent and caregiver, as rewarding as it is, I would love to have something of my own.