At twenty-four, I became a young mom to a beautiful baby boy, who thought my biggest challenge would be learning how to be a part-time single parent while my partner worked offshore for six to nine weeks at a time. I never expected that, just weeks before my twenty-sixth birthday, my entire world would change. After my son was born, I experienced severe health issues from dangerous weight fluctuations, complete exhaustion that I thought was related to the newborn trenches, to not being able to stand for more than thirty minutes at a time. For two years, I visited countless doctors searching for answers, accumulating medical debt, unanswered questions, and losing the ability to care for myself and my son. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease I never imagined facing so young. I am the youngest in my family to be diagnosed. My grandfather was diagnosed with RA in his 40s. We lost him six months after my son was born. I have no one to talk to anymore about this, so my diagnosis feels isolating. My physical limitations meant I had to rely on my mother and my now ex-partner for basic tasks, like feeding my son, or even just carrying him. School, or work felt impossible. All I could do was to push through each day and take care of my son as best I could. RA didn’t just affect me physically. It's affected me mentally. This autoimmune disease has stolen my independence and pushed my dreams out of reach. I've put so much on hold. I couldn’t imagine returning to school or building a career while dealing with constant pain, and depression from it. But after a couple years of medication to help manage the pain and swelling of my joints, and a life changing decision of becoming a single mother, I am ready to finally push through and go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a freelance makeup artist and photographer. I’ve chosen to attend Ogle Beauty School to earn my esthetician license. My love for makeup began in middle school, when I first discovered the magic of theatre. I was fascinated by how makeup could transform someone into an entirely new person with only a brush and a small tub of stage paint. Makeup became a hobby, a form of self-expression and a source of joy over the years. Something I've had to put on the backburner because of my disability. This schooling will allow me to turn that passion into a fulfilling career. I plan to work as an independent freelance makeup artist. My goal is to offer services to make sure anyone can feel beautiful, and seen. I want to create a welcoming environment where clients feel understood and empowered, especially those with visible or invisible challenges like mine. To me, independence means freedom. Freedom to choose when and how I work, to rest when my condition flares up, and to provide for my son without relying on others. With an esthetician License, I can build a life that supports both my creativity and my physical health. I can earn a sustainable income on my own terms, and I can stop putting my life on pause. Living with an autoimmune disease has taught me how strong and resourceful I can be. Now it's time I use my strength to build a career that aligns with who I am and the future I want for my family. This scholarship would not just support my education-it would support my journey back to independence, confidence, and purpose.