Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a different story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses differently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a different story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses differently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others. I discovered this scholarship on Bold.org after searching for nursing student scholarships.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a diAerent story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses diAerently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. My children have taught me countless valuable lessons and continue to inspire me every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights as everyone else. This is what I strive to accomplish through my volunteer work. I founded and led a non-profit organization called the Children's Autism Support Team (CAST). Through CAST, I spoke to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of including individuals with disabilities. Our largest annual event was the CAST Family Fun Day, held each spring. This fully inclusive event at the park provided free food, bounce houses, sensory tents, and a resource alley for families and friends to come together and celebrate, all thanks to local donations. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a diAerent story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses diAerently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. My children have taught me countless valuable lessons and continue to inspire me every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights as everyone else. This is what I strive to accomplish through my volunteer work. I founded and led a non-profit organization called the Children's Autism Support Team (CAST). Through CAST, I spoke to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of including individuals with disabilities. Our largest annual event was the CAST Family Fun Day, held each spring. This fully inclusive event at the park provided free food, bounce houses, sensory tents, and a resource alley for families and friends to come together and celebrate, all thanks to local donations. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a diAerent story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses diAerently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. My children have taught me countless valuable lessons and continue to inspire me every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights as everyone else. This is what I strive to accomplish through my volunteer work. I founded and led a non-profit organization called the Children's Autism Support Team (CAST). Through CAST, I spoke to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of including individuals with disabilities. Our largest annual event was the CAST Family Fun Day, held each spring. This fully inclusive event at the park provided free food, bounce houses, sensory tents, and a resource alley for families and friends to come together and celebrate, all thanks to local donations. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a diAerent story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses diAerently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. My children have taught me countless valuable lessons and continue to inspire me every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights as everyone else. This is what I strive to accomplish through my volunteer work. I founded and led a non-profit organization called the Children's Autism Support Team (CAST). Through CAST, I spoke to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of including individuals with disabilities. Our largest annual event was the CAST Family Fun Day, held each spring. This fully inclusive event at the park provided free food, bounce houses, sensory tents, and a resource alley for families and friends to come together and celebrate, all thanks to local donations. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Returning to school after 23 years can be a daunting experience, especially for a special needs family like ours. Two of our three children have significant disabilities that require a large amount of time and attention each day. Because of this level of care, there must be a primary caregiver. For the past 22 years, that caregiver has been me. I have devoted myself to providing whatever they need. When I decided to go back to school, I knew that big changes were necessary. One of those changes was accepting that our income would be very limited while I pursued my education. This was a sacrifice my family willingly made, understanding how important this journey is for me and providing their full support. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrust into a whirlwind of therapies and doctor appointments. Thankfully, we live near several pediatric specialists. However, routine healthcare through family practice was a different story. Countless times, our family has faced dismissal from providers who lacked the necessary training and awareness. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses differently from typical patients. Nonverbal patients can be especially overlooked, as they cannot verbally describe their symptoms. As a result, we frequently found ourselves in the emergency room due to conditions that had been missed. I feel compelled to change the way family practice visits are conducted for families with diverse abilities. By becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish this goal. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard during their healthcare experiences. Parents should be taken seriously regarding their concerns about their child's health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a manner that is appropriate for them. I want not only to provide this level of care for my patients but also to raise awareness about this pressing need. There is a significant gap in the care provided to these patients. Additionally, I aim to provide holistic care to the entire family. Holistic nursing considers all human dimensions and how their basic needs are met in health and illness. Caregivers often neglect their health concerns while focusing on others. They must be taught to prioritize self-care, including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for all providers, whether they work with the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or young children. My children have taught me countless valuable lessons and continue to inspire me every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights as everyone else. This is what I strive to accomplish through my volunteer work. I founded and led a non-profit organization called the Children's Autism Support Team (CAST). Through CAST, I spoke to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of including individuals with disabilities. Our largest annual event was the CAST Family Fun Day, held each spring. This fully inclusive event at the park provided free food, bounce houses, sensory tents, and a resource alley for families and friends to come together and celebrate, all thanks to local donations. I have been profoundly impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of their influence, I am taking the necessary steps to elevate the level of care for patients. With my degree, I will be able to provide that care for families like mine and many others.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they need. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. Fortunately, we live near multiple pediatric specialists. However everyday ordinary family practice care was a different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by providers in family practice who did not have the training and awareness needed. Individuals with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe symptoms. We often ended up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. Becoming a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I can accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness about this. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to provide a holistic level of care to the entire family. Holistic nursing care is based on considering all human dimensions and how their basic human needs are met in both illness and health. Caregivers often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for others. They must be taught to take care of themselves first including medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for providers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. That's exactly what I've to accomplish in all of my volunteer experience. I started and ran a non-profit called Children's Autism Support Team. Through CAST I was able to speak to rotary groups, state representatives, local governments, and support groups about the importance of inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Our biggest yearly event was the CAST Family Fun Day each spring. It was a fully inclusive day at the park with free food, space jumps, sensory tents, and a resource alley. A day for our families and friends to come together and celebrate each other all for free thanks to local donations. I have been deeply impacted by the disability community in our area. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide a higher level of care for patients. With my degree I will be able to provide that for families like mine and so many others.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. I also want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.

Going back to school after 23 years can be a very daunting experience. We are a special needs family. Two of our three children have significant disabilities. They require a large amount of time and attention each day. Due to that level of care there must be a primary caregiver who helps them. For the last 22 years that caregiver has been me. I have dutifully taken care of them, providing whatever they needed both day and night. When the decision was made that I would return to school big changes had to be made. One of those changes was that we would have a very limited income while I am in school. That was a sacrifice my family easily made for me. They know how important this is to me and support me completely. When our children were diagnosed with autism and other rare medical conditions, we were thrown into a tailspin of therapies and doctor appointments. We were fortunate to live near multiple pediatric specialists. However, when everyday ordinary family practice care was needed it was a completely different story. Countless times our family has been dismissed by doctors or nurse practitioners in family practice who did not have the training and awareness to treat individuals with disabilities. Those with disabilities often present illnesses in a different manner than typical patients. Nonverbal patients are often discounted as being sick since they can’t describe what is wrong. Because of this we would often end up in the emergency room due to illnesses that were overlooked. This is what I want to change. I feel led to change the way everyday family practice visits go for families of different abilities. As a certified family practice nurse practitioner, I will be able accomplish that. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard in their health care experiences. Parents deserve to be taken seriously regarding concerns about their child’s health. Patients deserve to be communicated with in a way that is appropriate for them. Not only do I want to provide this level of care to my patients but also spread awareness and help other providers do the same. There is a gap in the care of these patients. Also, I want to also provide a holistic level of care for the entire family. Caregivers will often dismiss their own health concerns because they are so busy caring for another. Caregivers need to be taught to take care of themselves first. This includes medical care, mental health support, nutrition, community resources, and more. Caring for caregivers should be a top priority for caregivers of all kinds including those of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and young children. My children have taught me so many things and continue to influence my life every day. They are a blessing and deserve to be part of the community with the same privileges and rights everyone else has. Because of them I’m taking the steps needed to provide that level of care for patients.