I will always have maple syrup in my fridge. When people think of maple syrup they usually think of drizzling it on pancakes, but I imagine pouring it down my mother’s throat. She has type 1 diabetes, however, I often feel like I am the one with the disease. Knowing the warning signs of hypoglycemia were necessary when I was roughly five or six. I never talked about it because of how genuinely scared I was. My heart would physically ache from the fear of what could have happened if I was not there. I wanted to show that I was responsible enough to take care of her even if I was only five years old.
This was just one of the many ways I had to learn to be an adult before my peers even understood the concept. As a child, we moved a lot. These moves were dictated by my mother’s romantic flings, my home shifting with the chambers of her heart. My childhood was based on me being my mother’s primary support. It’s always been me, my mom, and then a random boyfriend that would have us moving around our small town, multiple times each year. She was with my abusive step-dad for ten years until they needed to separate in 2021. Moving wasn’t something I was unused to but changing schools my 8th grade year was something I struggled with. Growing meaningful relationships throughout high school was a bit troublesome with the constant moving. Four times within a two year period was very hectic, but no matter where we were I was happy as long as I was with my mom, she was my home.
I have had to be responsible for myself for as long as I can remember, even down to my finances. When I was younger and wanted braces, my mother’s response was always “choose what you want more.” Although I chose braces, I still never got them. I understood the expense, which is why I wanted to work so I could help in any way I could. I joined the workforce as soon as I could at age 14 and it created a broader perspective regarding the way of the world; the dynamic of having a boss, navigating relationships with co-workers, and the impact a paycheck can have on your week. In the activities department at Orchard Manor Rehab and Nursing, I was impacted more than I can explain. I would be the friend residents needed, even by just sitting and talking with them, and hearing the residents' different stories gave me a great perspective on the world. It was necessary to know how to deescalate a situation and how to avoid a conflict. The nursing home had a true impact on my life and the job I grew to want. I loved the psychological factor of the nursing home, however I also wanted to help them physically, I wanted to be a person they could lean on.
Knowing the importance of the healthcare field has pushed me to challenge myself throughout my education career. Few colleges in our region offer programs in sonography, with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) being one of the few. RIT is known to have one of the best sonography programs in the country and only admits twenty applicants per year. When I received my acceptance letter, I was in shock given the competitive nature of this program. This may be the more difficult route for my major, but I have pushed myself for so long, why would I consider quitting now?