I am pursuing a career in occupational therapy because I believe individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to live meaningful, independent lives in communities that are accessible, inclusive, and supportive. My journey into this field has been shaped by personal experiences, close relationships, and hands-on service that have shown me both the challenges faced by this community and the powerful difference thoughtful, individualized support can make. I grew up with a learning disorder, which significantly shaped how I experienced school and understood my own abilities. Learning often required extra effort, creativity, and advocacy on my part, and traditional educational systems did not always meet my needs. While challenging, this experience gave me a deep appreciation for individualized learning approaches and an early understanding of how easily people who learn differently can be overlooked. These experiences sparked my interest in a career centered on inclusion, accessibility, and empowering individuals to succeed in their own way. My greatest inspiration to pursue occupational therapy is my mother, who is a 100 percent disabled veteran and an occupational therapist. Watching her navigate her own disabilities while dedicating her career to helping others regain independence showed me the true impact of this profession. Through her work, I witnessed how occupational therapy supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by focusing on strengths, building life skills, and fostering autonomy. Her resilience and compassion made occupational therapy feel like more than a career choice—it became a calling grounded in service. My commitment to supporting the intellectual disability community was further strengthened through my volunteer experience at Camp Blue Skies, a camp for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Volunteering there allowed me to form meaningful relationships, assist with daily routines, and create an environment where campers felt valued and capable. These experiences reinforced my passion for advocating for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan and confirmed that occupational therapy is where I can make the greatest impact. Additionally, my partner is a secondary caregiver to her younger sister, who has a progressive mitochondrial disorder called MELAS, along with other genetic conditions. She is currently awaiting a decision for a Make-A-Wish trip. Observing my partner navigate the emotional, physical, and logistical demands of caregiving while pursuing other educational goals has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families face when supporting individuals with complex disabilities. Seeing her advocacy, resilience, and dedication has further inspired me to pursue a career that supports not only individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also the caregivers who play such a critical role in their lives. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. I chose this program because of its strong mission to bring occupational therapists to rural and underserved communities, where resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often limited. My goal is to work as a school-based pediatric occupational therapist, supporting children with intellectual and learning disabilities while advocating for inclusive and accessible educational environments. Through occupational therapy, I hope to help reduce stigma, improve access to resources, and empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully in their communities. This career reflects my commitment to inclusion, advocacy, and making a lasting, meaningful difference.

My personal experience with substance abuse has shaped my family relationships, my education, and the career path I am pursuing today. My exposure to addiction began during a critical time in my life, when I was transitioning into adulthood and trying to establish stability for myself. While painful and overwhelming, these experiences have built resilience and a strong sense of responsibility that continue to guide me. My dad’s struggle with alcoholism began during my senior year at Mooresville High School, where I graduated in 2021, shortly after he found out that I had a girlfriend. His addiction continued throughout my early college years at UNC Charlotte, where I completed my undergraduate degree. During this time, his substance use escalated as he began mixing alcohol with sleeping pills and other medications. This created constant fear and unpredictability in our home. I would often come home to find my younger brother trying to take care of him, or my dad passed out on the floor, moments that left a lasting impact on both of us. Some of my strongest memories from that time involve checking on my dad late at night and keeping his bedroom door unlocked so I could make sure he was still breathing. There were nights when he seemed so drugged that I was afraid he would not wake up. Living with that fear at such a young age forced me to grow up quickly. Instead of focusing solely on school or friendships, I was constantly worried about his safety. This period also overlapped with me trying to understand my identity and realizing that I liked girls while navigating a very religious upbringing. As my dad’s substance use increased, I began to see his behavior as a way of coping that reflected not wanting to be here anymore. I internalized this and associated it with being my fault, believing that who I was becoming had pushed him further into his addiction. This led to intense feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and insecurity that took years to work through. His addiction also deeply impacted his marriage and his relationship with my brother, showing me how substance abuse can fracture families. The summer before my sophomore year of college, my dad reached out for help and chose to attend rehab on his own. He has now been sober for almost three years, and I am incredibly proud of the work he has done to rebuild his life and our relationships. While recovery has brought healing, the trauma from that time remains, and rebuilding trust has required patience and effort. Several members of my extended family also struggle with addiction, further shaping my understanding of how widespread these challenges can be. Because of these experiences, I am very intentional about how and when I drink, and I do not use any substances. Witnessing how addiction can change behavior and relationships has made me cautious about my choices and the environments I place myself in. Despite these challenges, I have remained committed to my education. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Navigating family trauma, identity exploration, religious conflict, and the aftermath of COVID made my early college years difficult, but I persevered. These experiences have strengthened my ambition to work in healthcare and support individuals and families navigating trauma and recovery. Addiction has affected my family deeply, but it has also shaped my empathy, resilience, and determination to create a future rooted in purpose and service.

My name is Katelyn, and I am currently pursuing a career in occupational therapy because I want to help people feel capable, confident, and supported in their everyday lives. I am in occupational therapy school and working toward becoming a pediatric occupational therapist, with the goal of supporting children with developmental and learning disabilities both in clinical and school-based settings. Growing up with a learning disorder played a huge role in shaping who I am and why I chose this field. School was not easy for me, and I often had to find alternative ways to learn and succeed. While those challenges were frustrating at times, they taught me patience, perseverance, and empathy for others who struggle in similar ways. I know firsthand how discouraging it can feel when traditional systems do not work for you, and because of that, I want to work with children who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. My goal is to help them build confidence, independence, and skills that allow them to succeed in their own way. My biggest inspiration to pursue occupational therapy is my mom, who is a 100 percent disabled veteran and an occupational therapist. Watching her manage her own challenges while dedicating her career to helping others regain independence showed me the true impact of this profession. I saw how occupational therapy can change lives by meeting people where they are and empowering them to reach their goals. Her resilience, compassion, and commitment to service inspired me to follow in her footsteps and pursue occupational therapy as a meaningful and purpose-driven career. I have also gained valuable hands-on experience through volunteering at Camp Blue Skies, a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. This experience allowed me to form genuine relationships, assist campers with daily activities, and celebrate their accomplishments. Volunteering at Camp Blue Skies strengthened my passion for working with individuals with developmental disabilities and reinforced my desire to advocate for inclusion, independence, and dignity across the lifespan. I moved to Boone after the hurricane and decided to attend school here because of the program’s strong focus on bringing more occupational therapists to rural areas. The school’s mission to serve communities that are often overlooked deeply aligns with my own values. I am inspired by the emphasis on community engagement and dedication to meeting the needs of underserved populations, and I hope to contribute to that mission throughout my career. I plan to work as a school-based pediatric occupational therapist, supporting children with developmental and learning disabilities as they navigate academic and social environments. Occupational therapy allows me to combine my personal experiences, volunteer work, and passion for helping others into a career that feels authentic to who I am. This path is not just a goal for me that emphasizes my commitment to service, advocacy, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Working with a child like Rebecca begins with getting to know who she truly is. Not her diagnosis, not her challenges, but the things that make her smile and the small ways she connects with people. That is what matters most in occupational therapy. My goal is to become a school-based occupational therapist, and Rebecca’s story reminds me exactly why I chose this path. My interest in this field started early. In high school I completed early childhood internships, and later I worked in Primrose preschools, where I learned how every child has their own way of expressing themselves. I come from a military family, and my mom is a 100 percent disabled veteran and also an occupational therapist. Watching her help others while managing her own health challenges showed me what real strength looks like. She taught me that therapy is about respect and connection, not just treatment plans. My family also includes several disabled relatives, and a little girl very close to us who has MELAS. She has inspired my passion more than she will ever know. Seeing how much her therapists mean to her helped me understand the difference the right person can make in a child’s life. Recently I completed a fieldwork rotation at Camp Blue Skies, a camp for adults with disabilities. That experience taught me how important it is to create safe, joyful environments where every person feels welcome and capable. It helped me grow in patience, creativity, and problem-solving. Next semester I will be working in a school setting for a week-long rotation, and I am excited to learn directly from therapists who help children thrive in classrooms every day. If I were working with a child like Rebecca, I would begin by learning her interests and rhythms. Since she loved music, movement, and sensory experiences, I would use those in therapy to help her feel comfortable and motivated. I would rely on visual supports, routines, and alternative communication methods, but most of all I would rely on building a relationship with her. Children communicate in many ways, and my job as an occupational therapist is to learn their language and meet them where they are. I would also collaborate closely with her family, because families know their children better than anyone. Their insight guides everything, and I want them to feel included and supported. My education has come with financial challenges. I attend school in an area that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Housing is limited, many places had to be renovated, and the cost of living has gone up quickly. Scholarships like this make a real difference and help me stay focused on my training instead of worrying about the rising costs around me. Rebecca’s life shows how much joy and connection one person can bring into the world. I want to honor that by becoming the kind of occupational therapist who sees each child’s strengths, respects their individuality, and builds trust through patience and consistency. I am committed to working in special education from pre-K through 12th grade, and I hope to bring the same spirit of joy and understanding to the children and families I serve.