I'm from Haiti, a little Caribbean island where everyone, rich poor, is battling our government and poverty. If you're unwell, the healthcare system isn't much assistance. When I was younger, maybe around the age of 5-6, I had something grow on my scalp during each school year. I'm still not sure what it was, but it made my scalp extremely sensitive to this day. There were moments when it bled or ugly "green stuff," as I called it, would ooze out of my scalp. Even if they didn't seem to bother, I was incredibly ashamed to chat or sit with my peers. Every morning when I had to go to school, I would cry because I was disgusted with myself. My mother and I went to the hospital every other day in the hopes of finding a cure or something that could help me with my sensitivity, but we always got the same reaction. I was so disappointed that I refused to participate in anything at school or even with my own family. Imagine feeling this way at the age of six. I had to endure this faith because I was born in a country without a healthcare system or even a desire to serve its residents. Coming to America was a real eye-opener for me. I was astounded by how large the hospitals are and how highly healthcare personnel is valued. I've always wanted to be a doctor, and being here and seeing how many possibilities there are and how dreams can still be accomplished was inspiring to me. My illness, or whatever it was, suddenly disappeared before I arrived in the United States, and I honestly have no idea how it was treated. I'm not sure if it was because of the number of large needles inserted into my body or the number of large pills I had to ingest, but it did and I'm grateful. That is why I want to be a part of and contribute to the health field so that no children my age growing up in a disorganized country have to feel this way about problems that can be easily fixed and controlled with access to the correct hospital and health care specialists. I realized that this adversity had just made me stronger than I had previously imagined I was. This let me understand how much I like learning since I would beg my mother every morning to let me go to school.

I'm from Haiti, a little Caribbean island where everyone, rich poor, is battling our government and poverty. If you're unwell, the healthcare system isn't much assistance. When I was younger, maybe around the age of 5-6, I had something grow on my scalp during each school year. I'm still not sure what it was, but it made my scalp extremely sensitive to this day. There were moments when it bled or ugly "green stuff," as I called it, would ooze out of my scalp. Even if they didn't seem to bother, I was incredibly ashamed to chat or sit with my peers. Every morning when I had to go to school, I would cry because I was disgusted with myself. My mother and I went to the hospital every other day in the hopes of finding a cure or something that could help me with my sensitivity, but we always got the same reaction. I was so disappointed that I refused to participate in anything at school or even with my own family. Imagine feeling this way at the age of six. I had to endure this faith because I was born in a country without a healthcare system or even a desire to serve its residents. Coming to America was a real eye-opener for me. I was astounded by how large the hospitals are and how highly healthcare personnel is valued. I've always wanted to be a doctor, and being here and seeing how many possibilities there are and how dreams can still be accomplished was inspiring to me. My illness, or whatever it was, suddenly disappeared before I arrived in the United States, and I honestly have no idea how it was treated. I'm not sure if it was because of the number of large needles inserted into my body or the number of large pills I had to ingest, but it did and I'm grateful. That is why I want to be a part of and contribute to the health field so that no children my age growing up in a disorganized country have to feel this way about problems that can be easily fixed and controlled with access to the correct hospital and health care specialists. I realized that this adversity had just made me stronger than I had previously imagined I was. This let me understand how much I like learning since I would beg my mother every morning to let me go to school.

I'm from Haiti, a little Caribbean island where everyone, rich poor, is battling our government and poverty. If you're unwell, the healthcare system isn't much assistance. When I was younger, maybe around the age of 5-6, I had something grow on my scalp during each school year. I'm still not sure what it was, but it made my scalp extremely sensitive to this day. There were moments when it bled or ugly "green stuff," as I called it, would ooze out of my scalp. Even if they didn't seem to bother, I was incredibly ashamed to chat or sit with my peers. Every morning when I had to go to school, I would cry because I was disgusted with myself. My mother and I went to the hospital every other day in the hopes of finding a cure or something that could help me with my sensitivity, but we always got the same reaction. I was so disappointed that I refused to participate in anything at school or even with my own family. Imagine feeling this way at the age of six. I had to endure this faith because I was born in a country without a healthcare system or even a desire to serve its residents. Coming to America was a real eye-opener for me. I was astounded by how large the hospitals are and how highly healthcare personnel is valued. I've always wanted to be a doctor, and being here and seeing how many possibilities there are and how dreams can still be accomplished was inspiring to me. My illness, or whatever it was, suddenly disappeared before I arrived in the United States, and I honestly have no idea how it was treated. I'm not sure if it was because of the number of large needles inserted into my body or the number of large pills I had to ingest, but it did and I'm grateful. That is why I want to be a part of and contribute to the health field so that no children my age growing up in a disorganized country have to feel this way about problems that can be easily fixed and controlled with access to the correct hospital and health care specialists. I realized that this adversity had just made me stronger than I had previously imagined I was. This let me understand how much I like learning since I would beg my mother every morning to let me go to school.

the name black lives matter to me signals a commendation of the unjust killings of black people by police. thousands of people of every color, every gender, and people of all ages coming together in many states to show their support for black lives matter. the Television in the background, my parents showing their fears and I could barely believe what I was witnessing. as was watching the news of all those people walking and beautifully chanting in unison in cities in America. that is when I finally learned what a just and inclusive community looks like. a just and inclusive community is when everyone is open to each other, when someone is struggling with something it is all of the community problems to fix. this community focuses on getting justice for everyone, and not tolerating any unjust or inhuman treatment from anyone.

I'm from Haiti, a little Caribbean island where everyone, rich poor, is battling our government and poverty. If you're unwell, the healthcare system isn't much assistance. When I was younger, maybe around the age of 5-6, I had something grow on my scalp during each school year. I'm still not sure what it was, but it made my scalp extremely sensitive to this day. There were moments when it bled or ugly "green stuff," as I called it, would ooze out of my scalp. Even if they didn't seem to bother, I was incredibly ashamed to chat or sit with my peers. Every morning when I had to go to school, I would cry because I was disgusted with myself. My mother and I went to the hospital every other day in the hopes of finding a cure or something that could help me with my sensitivity, but we always got the same reaction. I was so disappointed that I refused to participate in anything at school or even with my own family. Imagine feeling this way at the age of six. I had to endure this faith because I was born in a country without a healthcare system or even a desire to serve its residents. Coming to America was a real eye-opener for me. I was astounded by how large the hospitals are and how highly healthcare personnel is valued. I've always wanted to be a doctor, and being here and seeing how many possibilities there are and how dreams can still be accomplished was inspiring to me. My illness, or whatever it was, suddenly disappeared before I arrived in the United States, and I honestly have no idea how it was treated. I'm not sure if it was because of the number of large needles inserted into my body or the number of large pills I had to ingest, but it did and I'm grateful. That is why I want to be a part of and contribute to the health field so that no children my age growing up in a disorganized country have to feel this way about problems that can be easily fixed and controlled with access to the correct hospital and health care specialists. I realized that this adversity had just made me stronger than I had previously imagined I was. This let me understand how much I like learning since I would beg my mother every morning to let me go to school.