Thomas Edison, Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Elon Musk are all very different and unique people from different eras. However, they each have left a legacy, or as I like to think of it, a dent in history. Each person contributed in his or her own way to humanity and changed the way we as a society view things. For example, during Helen Keller’s era, those with handicaps were viewed as mentally inferior. Helen Keller - blind, deaf, and dumb - played a monumental role in changing those perspectives by defying the odds against her. Her breakthroughs are remembered in the form of her legacy, which can be seen through the lack of discrimination against those with handicaps. Similarly, Elon Musk has taken enormous strides in the world of renewable and clean energy. His electric car company, Tesla, brought about the industry-wide shift to electric vehicles years before the natural progression of innovation would have brought it about. It is the idea of change and innovation that is encapsulated within his legacy. A legacy is not a fact in a history book or something that is necessarily just remembered. A legacy is the entire change that exists within the organization of society since the holder established it. The legacy I want to leave behind should be one of my personality before my deeds. I feel it is important to be kind, to build others up, love everyone, and support those who are not as fortunate as I am. I would much rather be remembered for the kind of person I was rather than the things I did. Often, however, the deeds and personality of a person coincide. For example, Bill Gates donates enormous sums of money to charity and research programs for the betterment of the Earth and the people. These deeds give insights into Gate’s personality, an attribute I hope to be part of the legacy I leave behind. I look up to the people who have made significant changes to the world, and I am working to be listed among them someday.

Four years ago, at age 14, I took my first step on what would be the most valuable and important adventure of my life. My grandma, a speech pathologist at a school district, used assistive technology to help the kids she worked with to interact with the world. One of the devices she was using stopped working, and knowing my love of tinkering with things, she asked me to see if I could fix it. After taking it apart, I found it was a relatively simple device; I estimate it would have cost less than $3 to produce. After fixing a loose connection and returning the device, I later found out that that device cost $65. I was astounded! How could something so simple be sold for so much? I began researching the different types of assistive technology, and found myself getting mad! Near monopolies had allowed companies to raise prices astronomically, which prevented people like my grandma from getting the tools they really needed to help those with disabilities. I decided to change this. One of my heroes, Elon Musk, changed the entire auto industry with his electric cars. I wanted to change the accessibility technology market. So, I bought a 3D printer, taught myself CAD, and started trying designs. After many months of prototyping, I launched my first business at age 15 (assistivetechninja.com). I learned countless valuable (and painful) lessons on running a business. I developed many new skills, including accounting, coding, embedded electronics, soldering, and web development. Through this experience, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed running a business. About two years after starting the business, I partnered with a local university to help students with their final projects. Through this, I met Rocky - a wheelchair-bound man with Cerebral Palsy. Rocky was able to communicate only through his eyes (yes/no), but after setting up the tools I had built along with an iPad, Rocky communicated his first sentence. This was the point that made it real for me; for a long time assistive technology was just products to be developed, but when Rocky was able to tell us he loved basketball, I realized that it was life-changing for these people. My overarching goals for this business are: first, providing assistive technology at a more affordable cost; second, drive innovation in the field; third and finally, provide income to myself to help provide for my future education. Currently, I’ve sold nearly 100 devices to customers inside and outside of the country. In January of 2020, I broke even and paid off all the debt to myself. I hope for this business to continue and grow and provide the tools needed to change peoples’ lives.

Four years ago, at age 14, I took my first step on what would be the most valuable and important adventure of my life. My grandma, a speech pathologist at a school district, used assistive technology to help the kids she worked with to interact with the world. One of the devices she was using stopped working, and knowing my love of tinkering with things, she asked me to see if I could fix it. After taking it apart, I found it was a relatively simple device; I estimate it would have cost less than $3 to produce. After fixing a loose connection and returning the device, I later found out that that device cost $65. I was astounded! How could something so simple be sold for so much? I began researching the different types of assistive technology, and found myself getting mad! Near monopolies had allowed companies to raise prices astronomically, which prevented people like my grandma from getting the tools they really needed to help those with disabilities. I decided to change this. One of my heroes, Elon Musk, changed the entire auto industry with his electric cars. I wanted to change the accessibility technology market. So, I bought a 3D printer, taught myself CAD, and started trying designs. After many months of prototyping, I launched my first business at age 15 (assistivetechninja.com). I learned countless valuable (and painful) lessons on running a business. I developed many new skills, including accounting, coding, embedded electronics, soldering, and web development. Through this experience, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed running a business. About two years after starting the business, I partnered with a local university to help students with their final projects. Through this, I met Rocky - a wheelchair-bound man with Cerebral Palsy. Rocky was able to communicate only through his eyes (yes/no), but after setting up the tools I had built along with an iPad, Rocky communicated his first sentence. This was the point that made it real for me; for a long time assistive technology was just products to be developed, but when Rocky was able to tell us he loved basketball, I realized that it was life-changing for these people. My overarching goals for this business are: first, providing assistive technology at a more affordable cost; second, drive innovation in the field; third and finally, provide income to myself to help provide for my future education. Currently, I’ve sold nearly 100 devices to customers inside and outside of the country. In January of 2020, I broke even and paid off all the debt to myself. I hope for this business to continue and grow and provide the tools needed to change peoples’ lives.

Four years ago, at age 14, I took my first step on what would be the most valuable and important adventure of my life. My grandma, a speech pathologist at a school district, used assistive technology to help the kids she worked with to interact with the world. One of the devices she was using stopped working, and knowing my love of tinkering with things, she asked me to see if I could fix it. After taking it apart, I found it was a relatively simple device; I estimate it would have cost less than $3 to produce. After fixing a loose connection and returning the device, I later found out that that device cost $65. I was astounded! How could something so simple be sold for so much? I began researching the different types of assistive technology, and found myself getting mad! Near monopolies had allowed companies to raise prices astronomically, which prevented people like my grandma from getting the tools they really needed to help those with disabilities. I decided to change this. One of my heroes, Elon Musk, changed the entire auto industry with his electric cars. I wanted to change the accessibility technology market. So, I bought a 3D printer, taught myself CAD, and started trying designs. After many months of prototyping, I launched my first business at age 15 (assistivetechninja.com). I learned countless valuable (and painful) lessons on running a business. I developed many new skills, including accounting, coding, embedded electronics, soldering, and web development. Through this experience, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed running a business. About two years after starting the business, I partnered with a local university to help students with their final projects. Through this, I met Rocky - a wheelchair-bound man with Cerebral Palsy. Rocky was able to communicate only through his eyes (yes/no), but after setting up the tools I had built along with an iPad, Rocky communicated his first sentence. This was the point that made it real for me; for a long time assistive technology was just products to be developed, but when Rocky was able to tell us he loved basketball, I realized that it was life-changing for these people. My overarching goals for this business are: first, providing assistive technology at a more affordable cost; second, drive innovation in the field; third and finally, provide income to myself to help provide for my future education. Currently, I’ve sold nearly 100 devices to customers inside and outside of the country. In January of 2020, I broke even and paid off all the debt to myself. I hope for this business to continue and grow and provide the tools needed to change peoples’ lives.