Growing up I thought I knew what I wanted to do since I was about five years old. Like almost every little kid who loved animals, I had always seen myself as becoming a veterinarian. It wasn't until recently I finally realized that wasn't something I wanted to do anymore. I realized I wanted to do something dealing with dentistry and want to be able to help others with the same experiences. When I was younger, I had to constantly go to dentist and orthodontist appointments because I was born missing two teeth. I experienced having braces for the first time in the second grade and becoming responsible for wearing a retainer in the third grade. When sixth grade came around, I had braces for the second time and a couple of years later had to get two metal screws screwed to the roof of my mouth. From second to eighth grade, every several weeks my mom or grandma and I were always driving two hours away for orthodontist appointments. This took a big toll on my schoolwork and just my overall school experience. It wasn't until a couple of years later I didn't have to go as often and wasn't missing school as much anymore. I still had to put extra time into getting my schoolwork done and making sure I asked for help when I needed it. Even though it took a while to fully get caught up on my work and truly understand what I was being taught, I aced all my classes and every test I would take. During this time, I had also lost my dad and my grandpas and it took a big toll on me as a person. It was hard knowing I wouldn't have any of them to see the milestones in my life like my quincerena, graduating high school, graduating college, and even when I get married. In the beginning, I never knew why this was happening to me and my family, but my grandma always kept assuring me God always has a plan. I started to struggle with anxiety a couple of months before my dad passed and got worse once he did. I struggled with my emotions for a while and never really knew how to express how I was feeling. It wasn't until my freshman year I was finally able to start talking about my losses and be able to talk about my dad and grandpas to others. I knew the hurt of losing them would always be there, but the thing keeping me going was knowing they would all want me to achieve my dreams, go above and beyond, and know they would see all my hard work looking down on me from heaven. I knew ever since I was growing up that someone always has it worse than I do and to always give help and assurance when needed. My mom and grandma taught my brother and I that there is always something you can do for someone in need no matter how small it may seem. From a small age, I remember always doing some sort of volunteer work with my mom and seeing the difference we were making in other people's lives that needed a support system. It was a great feeling knowing we were making a difference and we never needed anything in return for what we did. Even with everything that has happened in my life, I will forever hold with me that everything happens for a reason and only one's self can make a change in their life and others.