When I was born, I was born with a disability called bilateral camptodactyly. Bilateral camptodactyly is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. I have bent fingers in both of my hands that I cannot completely straighten. My wrist function is abnormal as well; I have an ulnar deviation when extending my wrists to open my hands. The diagnosis of camptodactyly explained why I was unable to open my hands and struggled with daily tasks. At three months old, I was working with occupational therapists, pediatric hand surgeons, and an extensive medical team at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. For my first few years of life, I was constantly in and out of the hospital, learning how to use my hands. After three years of working with my medical team, we decided to perform a left-hand tendon extension surgery. My surgeon hoped it would help reduce the impacts of my camptodactyly; it did not. Even though my parents and I were told I would never be able to do things a “normal” child could do, I proved everyone wrong. I was able to play the violin and played various sports throughout my years at school. I was determined to be like the other kids my age, and I learned how to adapt so I could participate in the same activities. My personal experience with my disability taught me how to overcome adversity and be a determined and motivated individual. When I decided in high school that I wanted to become a Physician Assistant, I decided to challenge myself and obtain my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. I knew that this pursuit would expose my disability, but I didn’t let that stop me. For 16 weeks, I worked hard, did many ride-alongs, worked with Advanced EMTs and Paramedic students, and practiced my skills. All that work, time, and dedication paid off, and I became an EMT. Even though I had to overcome adversity and motivate myself to become an EMT, I knew it would help me be a better PA in the future. My disability has taught and prepared me to overcome any challenge that I am faced with. I am willing to work hard, further my education, and conquer any feat. My experience as an EMT has given me a good background within the medical field. Additionally, my experience as an EMT has allowed me to interact with those in times of need and despair. I have been able to work as an EMT as both a volunteer and as a paid worker. By getting this scholarship, I would be able to move onto the next step in my life, become a Physician Assistant, where I can continue devoting my days to helping those in need.

My parents were told that their baby would never be able to play sports or an instrument and would have difficulty writing. When I was born, I was unable to open and close my hands. After many appointments with surgeons, my parents discovered that I had a form of bilateral camptodactyly. Bilateral camptodactyly is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. I have bent fingers in both of my hands that I cannot completely straighten. The diagnosis of camptodactyly explained why I was unable to open my hands and struggled with daily tasks. At three months old, I was working with therapists, hand surgeons, and an extensive medical team at Shriners Hospital for Children. For my first few years of life, I was constantly in and out of the hospital, learning how to use my hands. After three years of working with my medical team, we decided to perform a left-hand tendon extension surgery. My surgeon hoped it would help reduce the impacts of my camptodactyly; it did not. Even though my parents and I were told I would never be able to do things a “normal” child could do, I proved everyone wrong. I was determined to be like the other kids my age, and I learned how to adapt so I could participate in the same activities. My personal experience with my disability taught me how to overcome adversity and be a determined and motivated individual. When I decided in high school that I wanted to become a Physician Assistant, many people told me that I should be a doctor. I took it upon myself to further research my career options and spoke to many practitioners, and I knew I wanted to become a PA. The PA profession drew me in due to its flexibility in specialty and lifestyle. I have always been very curious and education-seeking; I love learning and gaining new skills. The ability to change specialty and work in various practices was an attractive feature that solidified my choice to become a PA. During my senior year of high school, I was one of 80 students from my school district selected to participate in our Allied Health Program, a highly sought-after experience. Through the program, I shadowed and gained patient experience in the hospital setting, observing and working with various medical professionals in various specialties. Seeing how PAs worked and carried major roles within various specialties was exciting and enlightening to me. This program allowed me to experience the medical field first-hand and reinforced that I wanted to become a PA. During my freshman year of college, I challenged myself and obtained my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. I knew that this pursuit would expose my disability, but I didn’t let that stop me. For 16 weeks, I worked hard, did many ride-alongs, worked with Advanced EMTs and Paramedic students, and practiced my skills. All that work, time, and dedication paid off, and I became an EMT. Even though I had to overcome adversity and motivate myself to become an EMT, I knew it would help me be a better PA in the future. My disability has taught and prepared me to overcome any challenge that I face, am willing to work hard, further my education, and conquer any feat. My experience as an EMT has given me a good background within the medical field. My disability was just an obstacle in the way of my goals, and I did not let it stop me, and I will not let anything stop me from becoming a PA.

This scholarship would allow me to cover some of the costs associated with Physician Assistant school. When I was born, I was born with a disability called bilateral camptodactyly. Bilateral camptodactyly is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. I have bent fingers in both of my hands that I cannot completely straighten. My wrist function is abnormal as well; I have an ulnar deviation when extending my wrists to open my hands. The diagnosis of camptodactyly explained why I was unable to open my hands and struggled with daily tasks. At three months old, I was working with occupational therapists, pediatric hand surgeons, and an extensive medical team at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. For my first few years of life, I was constantly in and out of the hospital, learning how to use my hands. After three years of working with my medical team, we decided to perform a left-hand tendon extension surgery. My surgeon hoped it would help reduce the impacts of my camptodactyly; it did not. Even though my parents and I were told I would never be able to do things a “normal” child could do, I proved everyone wrong. I was able to play the violin and played various sports throughout my years at school. I was determined to be like the other kids my age, and I learned how to adapt so I could participate in the same activities. My personal experience with my disability taught me how to overcome adversity and be a determined and motivated individual. When I decided in high school that I wanted to become a Physician Assistant, I decided to challenge myself and obtain my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. I knew that this pursuit would expose my disability, but I didn’t let that stop me. For 16 weeks, I worked hard, did many ride-alongs, worked with Advanced EMTs and Paramedic students, and practiced my skills. All that work, time, and dedication paid off, and I became an EMT. Even though I had to overcome adversity and motivate myself to become an EMT, I knew it would help me be a better PA in the future. My disability has taught and prepared me to overcome any challenge that I am faced with. I am willing to work hard, further my education, and conquer any feat. My experience as an EMT has given me a good background within the medical field. Additionally, my experience as an EMT has allowed me to interact with those in times of need and despair. I have been able to work as an EMT as both a volunteer and as a paid worker. By getting this scholarship, I would be able to move onto the next step in my life, become a Physician Assistant, where I can continue devoting my days to helping those in need.

My parents were told that their baby would never be able to play sports or an instrument and would have difficulty writing. When I was born, I was unable to open and close my hands. After many appointments with surgeons, my parents discovered that I had a form of bilateral camptodactyly. Bilateral camptodactyly is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. I have bent fingers in both of my hands that I cannot completely straighten. My wrist function is abnormal as well; I have an ulnar deviation when extending my wrists to open my hands. The diagnosis of camptodactyly explained why I was unable to open my hands and struggled with daily tasks. At three months old, I was working with therapists, hand surgeons, and an extensive medical team at Shriners Hospital for Children. For my first few years of life, I was constantly in and out of the hospital, learning how to use my hands. After three years of working with my medical team, we decided to perform a left-hand tendon extension surgery. My surgeon hoped it would help reduce the impacts of my camptodactyly; it did not. Even though my parents and I were told I would never be able to do things a “normal” child could do, I proved everyone wrong. I was determined to be like the other kids my age, and I learned how to adapt so I could participate in the same activities. My personal experience with my disability taught me how to overcome adversity and be a determined and motivated individual. When I decided in high school that I wanted to become a Physician Assistant, many people told me that I should be a doctor. I took it upon myself to further research my career options and spoke to many providers, and I knew I wanted to become a PA. The PA profession drew me in due to its flexibility in specialty and lifestyle. I have always been a very curious and education-seeking individual; I love to learn and gain new skills. During my senior year of high school, I was one of 80 students from my school district selected to participate in our Allied Health Program. Through the program, I shadowed and gained patient experience in the hospital setting, observing and working with various medical professionals in various specialties. Seeing how PAs worked and carried major roles within various specialties was exciting and enlightening to me. This program allowed me to experience the medical field first-hand and reinforced that I wanted to become a PA. During my freshman year of college, I decided to challenge myself and obtain my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. I knew that this pursuit would expose my disability, but I didn’t let that stop me. For 16 weeks, I worked hard, did ride-alongs, worked with Advanced EMTs and Paramedic students, and practiced my skills. All that work, time, and dedication paid off, and I became an EMT. Even though I had to overcome adversity and motivate myself to become an EMT, I knew it would help me be a better PA in the future. My disability has taught and prepared me to overcome any challenge that I am faced with. I am willing to work hard, further my education, and conquer any feat. My experience as an EMT has given me a good background within the medical field. My disability was just an obstacle in the way of my goals, and I did not let it stop me, and I will not let anything stop me from becoming a PA.