I was raised Catholic by devout parents. Both of my parents worked hard to keep our family afloat, but the church was one of the most integral parts of our week. Both my parents were immigrants and moved to the United States to give me an opportunity they didn't think I could get in South America. Growing up, I can not remember when God was not present in my life. While I was never forced to pray, it was something that I did naturally. I once had a nun in school tell me that God was to thank me when things were good and ask for help when things were not. I took that to heart and have kept that thought in my head when I pray daily. God has been especially my salvation in the last eight years of my life. I have had 11 brain surgeries and a stroke on the table in my last one. When I thought that I would not recover, I asked God to help me with things that should have been simple. I was prepared to accept a slight recovery. Instead, I got a new life. While my life changed, I lost my job; I had to go on disability; there is not one day that I do not thank God and understand that I have a purpose. Coming back to school so I can get a degree, and help children, is the reason God kept me alive. I pray that I can help so many more unfortunate than I.