Hi, My name is Jessica Gaines. I am 34 years old and currently attend Post University. My chosen career is in Early Childhood education. I am married and have three beautiful children. I am the youngest of five siblings. I am originally from Carrollton, Georgia, but I live in Alabama. Mental health is something I have always struggled with since a young child. It all started when I was young and saw my parents physically fight and use drugs. I was molested at a very young age and was ignored when I spoke out. I was to blame for the sexual abuse, and that hurt deeply. I know my parents cared somewhat; however, drugs consumed their life. Many nights, I would cry because I wanted to be loved so badly. I was terrified to ask my parents for things because I knew the answer would be no. As time passed, I eventually ended up in a foster home in Alabama. I loved my foster parents. They were caring, kind, supportive, and loving. I finally went to counseling and was doing excellent dealing with my depression. However, I felt like something was missing, and I left the foster home (the biggest mistake of my life). These people loved me and treated me great! I always felt like something was missing. I longed for a relationship with my parents but never got it. For years I wanted to give up. I felt unworthy to be loved. I felt like my life did not matter. I stopped speaking to people and isolated myself from families and friends. Mental health will take so much from you, and you will lose out on many opportunities because you struggle each day. I was on medication in the past, and I was taking depression medication. Today, I do not take any medication. The medication made me feel different and not in a good way. My doctor did not see me as worthy and did not want to help me. I explained to my doctor about the medication, but he did nothing. I tried other doctors and was ignored. I gave up! I just told myself I was not worthy and no one cared about my existence. I struggle daily, and there are many days when I do not want to get out of bed. If no one has ever experienced mental illness, they will not understand. I do not choose to feel this way. My husband and three children inspire me to be better each day. They encourage me and support me in everything I do. My education means so much to me because that is something no one can ever take from me. I manage my mental health by taking it one day at a time. Mental health is essential because it affects how we feel, think, and act. We all deserve to live a happy life! Mental health affects your relationships with family/friends. Feeling down will affect your emotional well-being, and you will be less motivated. Also, mental health will affect your self-esteem. Overall, mental health affects your quality of life. Ways I handle my mental wellness by using self-help techniques. I allow myself to feel how I feel, but I do not stay in a dark spot long. I have a trusted person who I can talk with when feeling down. I love to walk, and that is my therapy. I focus on positivity and stay busy with my studies and my family. I remind myself that I am worthy. People care, and everyone should always make their mental wellness a priority. Thank You!

Hi, First, I would like to say thank you for this opportunity! I have been searching for scholarships with education and found the perfect one. My name is Jessica Gaines. I am 34 years old and currently reside in Clay County, Alabama. I am originally from Carrollton, Georgia. I am now a Post University student pursuing my associate degree, Early childhood education. As a young child, my passion has always been to work with young children. I am grateful that I finally decided to further my education and follow my dreams. I am married and a mother to three beautiful children, ages 15, 13, and 9. My husband and children are my biggest inspiration. I am the youngest of five siblings. I am also the first to graduate high school and attend college. I grew up in a home where drugs and violence happened daily. My parents would fuss and fight every day. They did not have an education and could never help me with my education. However, I never allowed anything to define or stop me from accomplishing my goals. As a young child, I was also passionate about learning. I would play school and be the teacher. I would have to beg my siblings/cousins to play along. If I were not playing pretend school, I would read or watch educational videos. I wanted to be successful and thought about my future daily. When no one in your family values education, you will not have the support. I was not encouraged throughout my elementary or high school years. However, I knew I wanted to follow my dreams and get my degree in Early childhood education. My motivation is my children; I want them to know to never give up on their dreams. All of my siblings dropped out of school when they were 16. I was heartbroken because my parents did not encourage them or me to continue our education. It hurts to know that they did not care about our future. When I was about 12 or 13, I often asked neighbors if they needed babysitters for their young children. I did not want to get paid because I loved it so much. People would offer me money, but I would not accept it. I just enjoyed playing with the children, reading, and stimulating their curiosity. Education means everything, and it starts in an early childhood setting. Being part of a child's growth and development is fantastic! A child's early years are the foundation for their future growth and development. We are the ones who prepare them for specific life skills, and it is such an honor to help young children learn. We must nurture and care for children and be in it for them. I know working with children is my passion. I have worked other jobs and always knew where I wanted to be. It took me a while because I doubted myself. However, I got the courage to start my college journey, and I do not regret it. The qualities I think anyone needs to possess to work or be a great teacher in early childhood education are patience, love for children, compassion, creativity, and empathy. Children are curious and love to explore and discover new things. I want to inspire children and help them reach their full potential. Winning this scholarship will be an honor! Thanks

Hi, My name is Jessica Gaines. I am 34 years old, married with three children. My children are ages 15, 13, and 9. I am currently a student at Post University. My chosen profession is Early Childhood education. I always knew I wanted to work with children as a young child. I loved playing school and being the teacher. I am the youngest of five siblings. I am the only one in my family to graduate High School and go to college. Education means so much to me because your education is something no one can ever take from you! Learning is essential to me because, as a young child, my parents were not that smart. When I needed help, I had no one to help me. I had to figure it out or do my best. No one in my family took education seriously. However, I loved to learn! My parents were uneducated, and my siblings and I lived in a home where drugs and violence were present daily. When all my siblings wanted to play outside or with friends, I chose to stay in and read or watch something educational. I was called names, and my family often got mad at me. They would say I was not normal because I always wanted to do something involving learning. When my older siblings were of age, they quit school, and I was hurt that my parents allowed them to stop so quickly. I never understood how they were okay and supported their decisions to give up. I would get nominated for different things in clubs at school. However, my parents would not even take me to events outside of school. I also love History and learning about the weather. I want my children to understand how critical learning is and how knowledge can elevate you in life. I wanted better for my life! Also, when you live and grow up in a home where no one cares about education, it makes you not want to care. However, I wanted to be better, and seeing my family struggle made me want to continue my education. Learning keeps us going. You are not living if you are not learning! You have better confidence and more robust cognitive function when you know more. There are many learning benefits. I was once scared to learn new things, but once I started researching specific topics and educating myself, I felt alive! You become more productive in society because you know more about your surroundings. Learning can elevate your career and enhance your life. I suffer from mental illness, and knowledge has improved my mental health drastically. When I feel myself getting into a depression, I will read a book or watch educational videos. Most importantly, I want my children to know that knowledge is power. Never give up, and always strive to learn more. Ask questions, research whatever the case may be, and do not give up. I encourage my children to participate in events at school. When they need help, I do my best to help them or guide them to someone who can. Learning is food for our brains and allows us to grow. I will continue to learn and persevere. I will set good examples for my children. I will continue to learn throughout life by reading, using critical thinking, experiencing new ways to learn, and being open to learning various things. I will not procrastinate and will explore different topics daily. I will make a schedule and manage my time more effectively. I am an inquisitive person! Thanks so much!

Hi, my name is Jessica Gaines! I suffer from mental illness. I attend Post University, and my major is Early Childhood education. I have always suffered from depression due to my childhood. However, I have never experienced an anxiety/panic attack until COVID. I had always heard of them but never experienced one until then. When Kay Ivey shut down everything in Alabama, I was devastated. Watching the news daily and hearing and listening about how bad the illness was, I was petrified for myself and my family. My husband suffered a lung injury from the smoke he inhaled from a house fire in October 2011. He inhaled so much smoke that his lungs were damaged. He often gets infections in his lungs. Considering this illness is a respiratory illness, I was concerned! Everywhere I went or everything I watched, people discussed how badly COVID affected people, and the deaths piled up by the day. So, COVID was constantly on my mind. During my first attack, I could not breathe, my chest was tight, my fingers were numb, I had uncontrollable shaking, and I felt a deep doom. The attack was the scariest thing I have ever experienced! I went to the E.R. and was given a pill to relax me. I was told it was an Ativan. I went to the E.R. twice after that; I remember having many attacks but never going to the E.R. I finally reached out to a doctor, who immediately wanted to look at my medical history. Once he saw my history of attacks, he immediately prescribed me medication. I tried talking to him about my symptoms but was overlooked. I wanted him to hear and listen, but he mistreated me like I did not matter. No counseling was recommended, or nothing. I left feeling hopeless and helpless. I do not like taking medication and try not to if I do not have to. Well, eventually, I did; the pills made me worse! I called the doctor, and he said it would take 2-4 weeks for the drugs to take effect. I was prescribed depression pills and anxiety medication. I knew I needed some help. I knew I had to change my mindset and the things in my environment that triggered them. I decided to research and watch others' stories about depression and anxiety. I found many self-help techniques that I was interested in. I knew I could help myself by using these techniques. I started to limit specific things and learned how to cope and deal with them when they came. I already dealt with depression, but this made it worse. I began to feel worthless, shielded myself from family and friends, and felt like a burden to my husband and children. I wanted to give up! There are days when I still struggle, but I get through each day. Fighting mental illness is a daily battle. For the ones who have not experienced mental illness, please take time to educate yourself and understand the disease. Feeling like you are never enough is the worst feeling in the world. I feel like I hold my family back. People do not speak out because they are told we can control our emotions. We do not wake up and decide to feel this way. I do not think people understand how severe mental illness can affect someone's life. If you are aware that someone is suffering, help them! Talk to them and let them know they are not alone! We matter, and I will continue to fight each day! We are enough!

Hi, I agree wholeheartedly with the above statement! My name is Jessica Gaines. I am originally from Carrollton, Georgia, but I currently reside in Clay county, Alabama. I attend Post University, and my chosen profession is Early Childhood education. Working with children is my passion. When I was a young child, I knew my parents used drugs because they did not hide using them. I am the youngest of five siblings. Out of my entire family, including my extended family, I am the first to graduate high school and attend college. I was in foster care on and off because of my parents' drug use and violence. There were nights when I was afraid to sleep because I was scared my parents would fight. My siblings and I did not have the finer things and barely had clothes and shoes for school. Churches would purchase our school items and Christmas gifts. I was sexually abused many times. When I spoke out, I was the blame for the abuse. I was introduced to drugs, and I will not lie; I used specific drugs. Not because I liked them but because I was pressured and surrounded by them daily. I hated them. In 2001 I finally escaped the torture! I moved to Alabama with my sister in foster care. She got me placed in the home she was placed in. I was ecstatic! The family I moved in with was the most loving and caring person I had ever met. I immediately started receiving counseling sessions. I was not aware of the hurt and pain I was carrying. My foster parents were terrific! I was involved in church, and they paid for me to attend a private Christian school. Life was great until my sister got back on drugs and left me. I was devastated! Soon after her departure, I went too. (the worst mistake of my life). I moved in with a friend, and we ran away. I was sent to a detention center, and after I was released, I soon moved into another foster home. This foster home changed my life. I met my now husband in the 10th grade. I later got pregnant with our eldest daughter while in the 12th grade. I had her three weeks after graduation. I genuinely believe that how we respond to particular challenges shapes our lives. I watched my family struggle because they chose drugs over necessities. Our choices impact our lives significantly! I watched drugs almost kill my siblings, but they continued. My brother lost his marriage and children because of drugs. I promised never to allow my children to be exposed to drugs and to strive to be better people for them and me. Drugs have caused me much pain. I wanted better for my life and my family. I worked hard for my education because I know that is one thing no one can ever take from me. I knew I wanted better for my life, so I pursued to further my education by attending college. My husband and children are my biggest inspiration. We have to approach life with an open mindset and respond positively. I chose to be better and excel in life. I want to be successful and help others. I want my children to know never to give up and keep pushing and persevering no matter what. We can overcome! We must not allow the challenges we face to define us. If we respond poorly, then we will never chase our dreams. Break the cycle and be the change. I choose to be better! Thank you!