These pains just won’t go away. My head feels like it’s exploding. Any glimpse of light or peep of a sound is like a million bricks weighing down my brain. “No mom! I don’t want to take a shot! It’s gonna hurt! I don’t want to go to the hospital! I don’t want to take narcotics!” This is what I go through with severe chronic migraines. Chronic migraines have effected my life since I was very young, and I still don’t have a helpful remedy. My migraines are triggered by stress and anxiety, which is something I often struggle with. I just can’t get away from it, but who can? Stress consumes the life of any person, however it’s how they deal with it that makes a drastic difference. The bullying I experienced at my previous school was the root of a lot of my stress and anxiety. I made the decision in 10th grade to leave the few friends I had, and start over at a new school. I also made the decision to quit soccer, the sport I had played since I was 7 years old. I immediately felt a shift in my mental and physical health. Although, the thought of having no friends, graduation, my future, and anything else ate me up inside. I made the decision that I could no longer live this way. I couldn’t live my life being fearful of what’s to come or what has passed. I couldn’t live my life locked up in a dark room because my stress triggered a debilitating migraine. I started working. I got not just one job, but multiple jobs consisting of children and animals which are two of my absolute favorite things. I decided that I would graduate high school with my Associates degree. I wasn’t originally planning on it because I was scared, but I have decided to go to college! I have always been raised in church but my mindset shifted and I made it my goal to go consistently and now I will be baptized on December 4th, 2022. My chronic illness still effects me every day. In fact, I have a migraine right now. Yet, I am still writing an essay, I still have work tomorrow, I still have obligations that, last year, I would have cancelled on. My motivation has spiked due to the pain, anxiety, fear I experience on a daily basis and I wouldn’t be where I am today without my chronic migraines.

Gifted children hold an exceptional place in my heart. Special needs and autistic children are often intellectually gifted. I have gotten to know the character and personalities of many special needs children throughout my life and some in particular have sparked my interest in making a change. Through the art of interior design I believe I can form spaces that accommodate the needs of gifted children. My very first job was babysitting for a family who has a special needs son; their sons name is Easton. The first time I met Easton he showed me unconditional love and immediately put a smile on my face. Not only did ten year old Easton name every planet and many facts about them, but he is able to recite almost every word from every movie or show he has seen. Easton is amazing and deserves a space within his home or which provides protection, accommodates his sensory needs, and allows him to be him. Sharp corners, loud noises, and close exits are all things an interior designer can mend or customize. My choice of career would enable me to make a difference within the lives of children and families who need adaptations for their gifted children. Although my career choice of interior design likely won’t help much for the typical gifted child, it will change the world for a child like Easton.