I believe the best way to love others is through acceptance. Too often, our society dismisses those who are different because they can't communicate in the same way as us or they have trouble understanding the underlying subtext of communication. Every day, in the speech pathology clinic and in my personal life, I strive to make sure others' voices are heard. This is how I show love. Sometimes, it is as simple as listening to a story. People in the LGBTQIA+ community have so many struggles that those outside of the community often overlook. Being a listening ear for members of that community and an ally in their darkest times assures them that one person is hearing their voice and committed to loving them. Over the last year, I have seen firsthand the change that loving through listening can make in someone who is walking through a dark part of their lives. I love through listening and learning about others. Other times, it may be an act of service. School can be stressful, especially when you are balancing it with professional duties. I like to cook dinner for my roommates when they've had long days, to alleviate some of the stress that comes with getting home from school, cooking, and starting homework. I love through time and shouldering some of the burden. I always finish with a simple sentence: "I'm glad you're here." Regardless of whether they're a friend, family, or stranger, knowing that someone's life is improved by them can give them a sense of purpose. With those I know, I add an "I love you." Actions speak louder than words, but sometimes words are what solidifies the intent of the action. That is how I love.

I was 17, in my first year of college, and sitting in an Honors classroom when I heard myself destructively thinking. After years of bullying for being too fat, too ugly, too short, and too smart, I had internalized those insults. It wasn’t until that year, when I moved 800 miles from my hometown, that I realized what my childhood had done to me. A year later, at 18, I was formally diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. After 7 years of starving myself and exercising like crazy, the disorder had become a part of me. I know what it is like to fight your body, to be confronted with something of which you may not be aware, and the emotional toll that comes with that. Fighting through anorexia brought out a new resilience and determination in me. Recovery is not only about changing your actions, but also your thoughts. I learned to be more intentional through food journaling. I became better at interacting with people when I found accountability partners to keep my eating on track. Patience became the key mantra of my life as I dealt with a problem that has no immediate fix. I researched online, read books, got advice from others, and tried several coping strategies before I finally began to gain weight. Two years and almost 50 pounds later, I am officially in remission. Though dealing with my weight has been, and continues to be, one of the biggest obstacles I have encountered thus far, it has taught me so much and contributes heavily to why I want to be a speech-language pathologist. Battling the shame of having a “disease” or “disorder” made me more receptive to others who struggle with their own anxieties about problems they cannot control. Opening myself up to others taught me new ways to listen to and counsel a hurting person, because I have been in those shoes and know what I needed from a similar situation. Whether it be frustration as a result of anomia or unwillingness to speak due to articulation problems, I am confident my experiences have given me a unique empathetic perspective to address these problems. Learning about anorexia also showed me how much I love researching and learning about the brain. Through my speech pathology classes, I found a love for aphasia and the intricate role of the brain in that disorder. As I looked further into the subject, I realized that aphasia and bilingualism have a unique intersection in the brain, one that provides an opening for further research. I hope to study this intersection to find techniques to make communication possible for those with brain injuries or degenerative diseases who speak multiple languages. As I look toward the future, I hope to use my experience with anorexia as a starting point to not only research the brain, but also give people with language problems an empathetic shoulder to lean on and a helping hand as they discover how best to move past their own disorders.