What Disney means to me is one of my first vacations while growing up and my family. The first time I went to Disney, I was five years old. Disney in Florida brought all of the excitement to life. I remember thinking it was so cool getting my autograph book signed by all the Disney characters. I remember Goofy was signing the kid sitting at the table behind my family, and Goofy used my dad's head as a table. Exploring the different rides and trying other food places in the park was excellent. I still look back at the pictures we took from that trip. I was still young, so remembering everything was a bit difficult. The Disney trip I remember was when I was ten years old. My family decides to do the theme parks and the cruise. It was great experiencing parks at an older age. My favorite was the cruise part of the vacation. I had such a blast with my family, but I hardly got off at the ports because I was having too much fun on the ship. I was at the age where I could participate in the kids club activities. Each night I would receive an itinerary on the bed, and I would go through marking all the events I wanted to go to. Another nice thing was that they offered pagers so I could get in contact with my parents if I needed to at any time. Yes, this was before cell phones could be used. When it came to dinner time, it was nice because we sat with the same people each night, and there were other kids around my age. My parents went to a fancy dinner one night, and I went to the main dinner with the other families, which I thought was excellent and gave me some freedom. I loved the access to the character; the lines were short, and I had plenty of opportunities for pictures. Now that I am older, I would love to do another Disney cruise and experience the excitement at an adult level but also get that same Disney magic I experienced as a young child. I know my parents would recommend the cruise over the parks. The cruise is the best choice if you are looking for Disney magic at a relaxed pace. Of course, I love theme parks, and when I have kids, I want them to experience thematic the way I did and still do! Disney is where the magic happens!!

What recovery means to me is being happy, staying focused and positive on your goals, not letting others influence you, being a leader, having a great support system through the difficult times, having and being in control of your life, not abusing your body of harmful substances, making a positive change, learning to have a healthy relationship with yourself before others, putting yourself first, and improving your mental health and wellbeing. When I think of my recovery, these thoughts, words, and phrases come to mind. Recovery is a big word that can impact people in many ways, and fighting for ourselves is essential. If we want to stay healthy and clean, we need to find new habits and hobbies to help us battle the fight. My outlet is going to the gym and listening to music. We do recover!!

The career path I am interested in is vision rehabilitation and low vision rehabilitation therapy. I am interested in this career path because I am legally blind, and I would be able to connect with other individuals who are blind or visually impaired on a personal and professional level. While growing up, I received services from the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Bureau for Blindness and visual services. Some services I received were orientation and mobility, extensive eye exams, assistive technology, low vision, and vision rehabilitation therapy. The two that stood out the most to me are low vision and vision rehabilitation therapy because I watched and learned from those who helped me. They gave me tools so I could navigate through life a bit easier. Such as magnifiers, kitchen accessories (large print measuring cups, long pot holders, burn guards for the oven, and more), accessible paper with darker lines, and more. These tools have helped improve my independence in my home. I do not always have to rely on someone to assist me. I currently have my masters in exercise science and physical education, and I have had no luck finding a career path. I chose my master's in exercise science and physical education because I love fitness. I would love to combine my knowledge of fitness with vision therapy. I want to help adapt gym equipment, so other individuals who are blind are not intimated of trying new workout routines. As a blind individual who loves going to the gym and lifting weights, it would be great if the equipment was more adaptable such as changing the consequences on the machine. It isn't easy to adjust the machine if we can not feel the numbers on the device or adjust the weight machines. I hope to reach my career goals and become more independent by returning to school for vision and low-vision therapy. Not just someone with a disability who gives up because time is difficult. I want to be able to succeed and live life with fewer challenges. I am an older student, and I know going back to school is the right choice for me, and I won't feel like I am disabled for life. If I do not pursue my education further, my mental health will not improve. I know I am not reaching my full potential. I also have a fantastic guide dog who would love to go on the journey of pursuing a new goal.

Mental health is essential because it helps us face everyday challenges in our life. Mental health can impact us positively and negatively in different life situations. I remember being in high school, and I have had up and down-battles with my mental health. In high school, I developed an eating disorder because I wanted to fit in with popular skinny girls. Back then, I was bigger than some of the girls, but I was an athlete. I did cross country, track and field, mixed martial arts, and Brazilian jiu Jitsu. I was strong and active, but I always loved my carbohydrates. I remember I just wanted to fit in, and back then, social media was not like it is today. Instead, I would get magazines and see the celebrities in shape and, to me, look skinny. I went for outpatient treatment, and I learned there were better ways to lose weight than being sick. I learned how to cope with the challenges of being a teenager. Yes, I am fully recovered years later since high school ended, and I look back, realizing I was not overweight. I went about losing weight and staying healthy the wrong way. Even though I am fully recovered, I still battle my weight challenges since I have gotten older. I feel like I am relearning how to cope with body changes positively. I still love carbohydrates, but I have learned how to balance my meals, and I can enjoy all types of food. Now that I am an adult, I take my mental health seriously and find ways to improve. Lately, I have been feeling stressed and not happy because I have been struggling to find employment because of my disability. I am legally blind, which also affects my eating disorder because e I cannot see myself in a mirror. I have decided I want to go back to school to become a vision therapist and a low vision rehabilitation therapist. By choosing this field, I will be able to connect on a personal and professional level and help improve my future client's mental health with the everyday challenges of vision loss. I currently maintain my mental wellness by finding things I am passionate about. I love going to the gym, listening to music, fishing, walking, talking to friends or family, and finding time for myself. If I did not improve my mental health back in high school, I know things could have turned a lot worse. Thankfully I have the support of my family, who helped me face some of my darkest times. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost their mental health battle.

What makes me a non-traditional student is that I am 31 years old, and I have taken time off from school. What drives me to do more is becoming as independent as possible. I am legally blind, and I have a learning disability. With my disability, I have struggled to find employment even though I am successful with my master's in exercise science and physical education. I am applying to go back to school for another master's and certification in vision rehabilitation and low vision rehabilitation therapy. I feel I will be able to succeed in a field where I can relate to those with vision loss personally and professionally. Just because I have faced some challenges, I want to keep pushing myself to be the best that I can be. Even though I may be older than some, my goal is to keep on learning. Knowledge is power!

I have experienced cancer indirectly; the closest person to me to have cancer is my dad. The first time my dad had cancer, I was not even born yet, but I found out because I asked about the scar down his stomach. The second time my dad had cancer, I was in my twenties, and I was not too by my parents because they did not want to scare me. I do have mixed feelings about not being told right away, but I know I am the type of person who thinks of the worst right away. Knowing that my dad has beaten cancer two times with two different cancers shows me the type of person he is and someone who inspires me to be the best that I can be. Through my dad's cancer journey the first time, if he did not make it, I know I would not be sitting here today writing this short essay. One of the side effects of my dad's cancer is he could not have kids physically. My parents decided to adopt. I was adopted from Guatemala, and I was adopted at ten months old. I feel we all got lucky, even though cancer played a role in my life and in my parent's life. Even though I was told about my dad's cancer not right away, I do feel it has brought our family closer. My dad never gave up, and he is a fighter. He has taught me no matter what life obstacles we may face, just keep on pushing through to reach your goals. I do know a few other individuals who have had cancer, and it is important to support and stay strong through their battle. The biggest impact on my life is my parents, especially my dad because he fought his battle for our family. My career goal is to become a vision rehabilitation therapist and low vision rehabilitation therapist. I am currently applying to the program at Salus University. I am choosing this field because I am legally blind, and I feel I would be a good fit because I can relate on a personal and professional basis. Even though this path may not be directed toward cancer, I might have the opportunity to work with an individual or individuals who have lost their sight to cancer. Cancer can impact families differently, and it is important to strive for the best for ourselves. I am here to not give up on the dream. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost or still battling their cancer battle.

Living with a chronic condition has created multiple challenges for me. I have faced many obstacles with my diagnosis, such as learning, transportation, independence, loneliness, and exhaustion. While going through grade school, learning has always challenged me. I would have difficulty comprehending materials. School tasks would take me long to complete. Depending on the tteacher, I would be pushed off to the side because the lack of accommodations. I remember doing school work and while completing the assinment I would start crying because I was having so much trouble I just wanted to give up. As I write my short essay I have overcome so many learning obstacles. In 2020 I graduated with my master's in exercise science and physical education. Since graduating with my degree I have faced employment difficulties. I am currently in the process of applying for a master's in vision rehabilitation therapy and low vision rehabilitation therapy. With a degree in vision therapy, I will be able to help those who face everyday challenges of vision loss. With my medical condition, transportation and my independence are affected because I do not drive I do not have the freedom to travel where I want and when I want. Not driving has impacted relationships, education, and employment opportunities. Not being able to drive affects my independence. I have to rely on on other people to take me where I want to go. I am lucky to have my parents with driving me to wherever I want to go. I am located in is very isolated and not much transportation or if any public transportation. I currently live at home, which is great because I have my parents. It also can be lonely because meeting new people can be difficult because of my location and medical condition. I would like to meet new people who are around my age and accept me for who I am. At times it can be exhauting and I need to rely on a nap. I get so exhausted that I feel like I can not function. I may face some challenges due to my diagnosis I found it is important to not give up. I want to show the world just because you have a medical condition or disability does not mean you can not pursue your dreams. I am someone with a medical condition or a disability and I do not feel disabled. I do not have a disability but I do have different abilities.

The Harry Potter house I would be sorted into would be Gryffindor. I believe I would be placed in this house by the sorting hat because I have the traits the house posses. The traits I have that are suited for this house include bravery, determination, courage, and chivalry. For the Gryffindor house, I am a brave individual who wants to conquer the world to its fullest. I believe I am a brave individual with all the challenges that I have faced growing up. I am a three time stroke stroke survivor which caused me to lose a majority of my eyesight. I am the type of person who will not give up even when times get rough. I feel I am brave when it comes to new adventures such as pursuing my dream of going back to school to become a vision therapist. In the past, I have been told I can not do things because of my eyesight. Another trait of the Gryffindor house is determination. With the loss of my eyesight, I am determined to pursue my dreams as a vision therapist. Prior to wanting to go back to school, I completed my master's in exercise science in physical education. Since graduation, I have had a tough time finding employment. I am determined to find a place of employment that will except me and my guide dog. I have the determination to be independent as possible even though I face challenges with my disability. I also possess courage and chivalry which I believe would be a great match for the Gryffindor house. I am the type of person who is polite, honest, and kind. I have manners when I talk or ask for different things I may need for instance holding a door open and saying please and thank you. I am an honest person as you ask me for advice I will give my honest opinion. I will not be the person who lets my friend out of the house looking not their best. Another example is my mom asking me about clothes she is trying on and I will let her know that it's not a good outfit for the outing. I am a kind person and will do my best to help another person out. For instance, I volunteer and help those who need assistance in getting food. I have experience working with special needs. I believe I would be a great fit for Gryffindor and plus it would be cool to hang out with a Harry Potters group of friends I would be able to help assist him on his adventure of facing the one who we must not name Lord Voldemort.

My health journey has always been up and down like a roller coaster. I am legally blind and when I see myself in the mirror I only see parts of myself. Since I can only see parts of myself I struggle because I constantly feel like I am larger than what I really am. I have always been an active person growing up. When I was in school I participated in cross country and track and field while I was in school. The activities I did out of school were BJJ and MMA I did both for about two years. I learned I have always had a passion for being physically active so I joined the local gym. I go to the gym 3 to 5 times a week. I also have a home gym so on the days I can make it out of the house I get to workout in my basement. I seem to never have a problem when it comes to physical activity. By having a passion for being physically active I decided I wanted to pursue my undergraduate and graduate degree in exercise science and physical education. When it comes to being healthy for myself I have always had challenges when it comes to eating healthy. I do love my bad carbohydrates. I love my pasta, rice, potatoes, chip, and pretzels. I know I have yoyoed with my diets in the past because they were diest something that I knew I could not stick with because they were not maintainable lifestyle changes. I also have fallen for the fab diest because when advertised they make it sound so believable. When in reality they are not and I know I have ended up back in the same place. I recently have been diagnosed with diabetes and I knew I was predisposed because of my ethnic background. Of course, I also want to be like everyone else who can just eat what they want and not be affected. with health issues. Since being diagnosed with diabetes I have made a lifestyle change by eating better and balanced meals. I do allow myself to have those unhealthy carbohydrates from time to time because I know I would fall back into old habits if I did not allow myself to indulge. Since changing my healthy eating lifestyle I have improved my blood sugar levels and decreased my medication. When I go to the gym I do feel more and stronger rather than weak and tired. By changing my lifestyle I overall feel much healthier, stronger, and happier. If I could go back in time I was have started my lifestyle change sooner before being diagnosed but I stand where I stand and have to keep moving forward and keep plugging along to reach my health goals. I am currently applying to go back to school for vision rehabilitation therapy and My goal is to stay healthy and to keep my lifestyle changes on track. I know school can be stressful and I am the type to eat when I'm stressed or feeling anxious and nervous. My goal is to stay relaxed and on target and not let obstacles get in my way.

What excites me most about college is learning new knowledge, location, activities, and meeting new people. I have attended three different colleges in my academic career. The first location was a community college. The community was a great way to start off the college process and it allowed me to experience a bit more of adulthood with the luxury of staying at home. Going to a community college was great because I was able to meet new people and learned to focus on having a healthy mind and body. When I went for my associate's degree I did not know what I wanted to do and community college allowed me to get the requisite courses completed. After community college, I did take a few years off and worked a full-time job. While at this full-time job, I decided this is not what I wanted to do and I went back to school for my bachelor's degree. When I went for my bachelor's degree I picked a small school because everything was walkable, it was a beautiful location and a great academic experience. While earning my degree I was able to experience living away from home and becoming more independent. I was able to take advantage of the school's fitness center. I was able to choose healthy food options even though there were not a lot of food choices. Even though there were not a lot of food choices, you could still get a nourished meal without being overwhelmed by multiple food options. Living in a private dorm allowed me to focus on myself but also taught me how to live with other individuals being we shared the main living area. After undergrad, I went on to pursue my master's degree. In choosing a program I still went with a smaller campus but it was larger than my undergrad campus. I started to overcome the fear of public transportation because where I was located on campus it was dangerous and far to walk. If you did have to walk it was manageable but I would not have recommended it. At graduate school, there were a lot more options in food which did become overwhelming because not all the options were healthy. I also had access to uber eats which was great for convenience but not healthy unless searched for healthy options. I did go to the gym on campus at least five times a week. The gym was my place to relax away from homework assignments but allowed for me to focus on myself. Plus the school had plenty of activities whether you were an undergraduate or graduate student living on campus. I am hoping to go back to graduate school for another master's. I hope from my previous experiences I know I have learned and grown as an individual. I know I am the type of person when I do get overwhelmed and stressed I know it impacts my studies or my lifestyle at home. When you are in school it is important to have your downtime to focus on your mental health. You can read a book, go for a walk, head to the gym, do deep breathing exercises, and hang out and meet new people. For students who are just starting their educational career, remember to have an academic and personal life balance. Do not forget what made you want to go to school but remember to keep doing the activities that you love and enjoy. Stay happy, and healthy, and keep a positive mind frame and you can achieve your goal.

It is important to have healthy eating habits because it will improve your quality of life. For instance, when I eat healthier I feel happier and more motivated. Healthy eating helps prevent pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol. I find it's not always about the number on the scale but it is the way you feel in your clothes, how you present yourself to others. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and I am an athlete. I go to the gym at least three to five times a week. I know I feel good when I go to the gym but for myself I needed to incorporate healthier eating habits. I have been trying to improve my food choices so when I get hungry I pick a better option. After being diagnosed with diabetes I know it was a pre-existing condition. I also wished and wanted to be like the individuals who can just eat what they want but I know that is not me and I have to work harder. Healthy can be tough when you are not a diabetic or other health condition because the food that is not good for us tends to be the cheapest and tastes good. I am the type of person who does enjoy bad carbohydrates. I know now I can still have them but it is important to limit the intake but it also helps me to stay on track with healthier eating. Yes, I do believe it's important to have a cheat meal from time to time. When it comes to eating healthy I do feel my mental health improve and when I eat unhealthy I tend to be more depressed and not want to go out of the house because my clothes do not fit right or I look in the mirror and get frustrated. Back at the end of September, I had to have surgery. Before my surgery, I prepared myself by increasing my exercise and incorporating healthy eating. I was able to lower my sugar levels, lost weight, and came out of surgery ready to recover. In recovery, I stayed focused on my eating habits because I wanted to heal as quickly as possible. Since my surgery, I have had my ups and downs with eating. My goal for health is to stay focused and to make eating changes for the long term and not fall for the fab and yoyo diet routine. As for myself, the goal is to get off medication and rely only on healthy eating patterns, and incorporate physical activity. If you are struggling to make those healthy eating habits it might help to have the whole family participate, if you do not do the food shopping you can make a list, if you are shopping shop in the outside aisles, portion control you can get smaller plates, and have fun make healthy eating an enjoyable experience.

Hello, my name is Jesi and I am adopted from Guatemala. During birth I suffered three strokes which caused me to lose a majority of my vision and I have a learning disability. I have about less than 10 percent of my vision remaining. Growing up I faced many obstacles due to my vision and learning disabilities. Even though I face challenges in my life it is important to think positive and to strive to be the best that you can be! I am the type of person who does not let my challenges stop me from being the best version of myself. Yes, I may have setbacks at times but it does not mean I will give up. I am a victim of sexual abuse or I will say a survivor of sexual abuse. Being a survivor has made me a stronger woman. It has also taught me to fight for what I feel is right. I am a woman with a disability and that does not give someone the power to take advantage of myself or another woman. In 2020 I graduated with my master's in exercise science and physical education. I honestly thought I would never earn a master's. I am currently in the process of applying to another master's program in vision rehabilitation and low vision rehabilitation. I am choosing his field because I am legally blind and I will be to relate to my future clients on a personal and professional level. The use of the money would help create a better life by assisting in paying for school. At this time I will have limited assistance in paying for my program of interest. I will be living in an apartment and I would need assistance in paying rent, it would be my first time living on my own. Since I am legally blind I do not drive. Being that I do not drive it impacts how I travel to places. If I receive money I could put some towards driving expenses. I also have a guide dog and all the needs for her. I would use the money to help enhance my future. My future goal is to be independent as possible and receiving this scholarship will help me pursue my career in vision therapy. Just because we are women does not me we derve less. If we stick together we can conquer any challenges we may encounter. Thank you!

If I could have everyone in the world just read one book, I would pick the book the outsiders. When I was in high school I had recommended reading which was The Outsiders. The book was one of those books that I feel anyone can relate to no matter what age you are especially at the middle and high school level because it is a coming-of-age book. For instance, most if not all have experience different social groups for instance in the book Greasers and Soc. In high school, many have been part of the popular, goths, jocks, and nerd groups. The characters in the book face challenges relating to fitting in, relationships, losses, and of course personal growth. If I was a character in the book I would probably fall into the greaser category because in school I was not popular but I was quiet and liked by many. Plus being a greaser I would end up with a fancy leather jacket that would go nicely with my combat boots. I would recommend this book to anyone and when I read it, the book was one of those books I did not want to put down and I could just imagine the characters. The book definitely brings you back in time but also fits the present day. Some books are good but then there are books that are great. It does not matter which group you fall into the important thing is we all get along. One of my favorite quotes from the book is " Hey can you see the sunset real good from the west side?"; "You can see it good from the east side too." - Poneyboy

The dream version of myself would be a vision rehabilitation and low vision therapist.

Hello, my name is Jesi, I am adopted from Guatemala, and during birth I had three prenatal strokes. As a result of the strokes I lost a majority of my vision and learning disability. I have about less than 10 percent of my vision remaining. While growing up have faced many challenges some of the obstacles I faced is getting proper education and the accommodations to help me to succeed. Accommodations most of the time were not met and I had to struggle and fight to receive the proper accommodations to help me to succeed. I remember being in high school and it was mandatory to take driver's education, I was forced to take the class knowing that I was not able to drive. I remember passing the written exam and coming home crying because I wish I was like everyone else who was receiving the learner's permit. I used to carry around an old set of car keys to feel like I would fit in, even though knowing I was not hoping in my own car at the end of the day. I had an IEP and in my IEP my casework stated I would not go further than high school and I would be a domestic worker. As I sit here writing this essay I am an accomplished student who has graduated with my master's in exercise science and physical education. Driving and transportation would be one of my biggest challenges because I have to rely on someone such as my parents or public transportation. I do not get the freedom of just hopping in the car and going places. Which has impacted relationships, careers, and educational opportunities. Since graduating with my master's in exercise and physical education, I have been struggling to find employment. If I do find an employment opportunity I get turned down and told I am a liability. In November 2022 I received my first guide dog and since having her I have had positive and negative experiences, We have so far been denied entry once, and through that experience, I had the opportunity to report the place or to go in and educate on the ADA. I had to opportunity to educate the restaurant on ADA and guide dogs. I am hoping to pursue another master's in vision and low vision therapy. I will be applying as a dual applicant and with this degree I hope to reach my dreams of becoming a successful vision therapist. As a vision therapist, I will be able to relate to my future clients and help them overcome their obstacles and to make life more positive, and to show them obstacles may be upsetting but in the long run, it will make us stronger. With this scholarship, it would help tremendously with the expenses for books, food, and rent. With facing obstacles due to my disability, there are times I would rather give up and cry. I have to remember to stay positive and to not give up and I know I can achieve my dreams.

My favorite Taylor Swift song from the 1989 album is the song " Shake It Off". I enjoy this song because it is very catchy. I find myself in the car dancing and singing along to it on the radio. I feel like I can relate to this song because it focuses on the ups and downs of relationships. The song brings me back to my high school days of starting to date. Dating for myself was always challenging because I felt like I was competing with the next girl in my class for the same guy. High school was already hard enough of trying to fit in and be one of the popular kids. Instead of having the popular guy in the class, I was the type to bed focused on my studies and yes I was the one in the marching band. At that time being in the marching band at school was actually cool because we were very well known. Yes, that experience may relate more to her song " You Belong to Me" but I still feel like it relates to her song Shake it off. because when times got rough in high school it was important to stay focused on myself to not deal with the drama and to just shake it off and let loose. Since being out of high school the song "shake it off" is still very much relatable to relationships in dating, college, social media, and the workplace. Dating as an adult can be challenging at times and now with social media, there can be a lack of trust and respect. The loss of trust and respect can lead to the relationship ending. A relationship ending can cause you to not move on but if you shake it off you might be able to meet someone and move on. Social media plays a large role being a media influencer can be positive but not everyone may be a supporter. Everyone seems to have at least one hater and they may be the hater because they are jealous. It is important to ignore those negative comments on social media and to let those haters just be haters and for us to just shake it off! Being in college may sometimes remind you of high school. For instance, being an older student, a transfer student, or a foreign exchange student can lead to relationship challenges because you may be different and not fit the norm of a typical college student. it is important to shake it off and do what you do best and not let anyone influence you. Lastly, in the workplace relationships can impact your status. For instance, your supervisor has favorite employees, employees feel jealous over personal relationships. When you face challenges and negative relationships remember to be positive and to just shake it off! So let's shake it off together and conquer the world and not take anyone down. Shake it off, shake it off!