My name is Natalia Merheb, and I am a first-year graduate student at Jacksonville University, studying to become a pediatric occupational therapist. I have always known I wanted to pursue a career helping children, and I realized occupational therapy was my calling. I have experience assisting in rehabilitating children with diagnoses ranging from physical to behavioral disabilities. I was able to work in outpatient clinics, a summer camp, and Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care facilities (PPEC), where children who needed constant nursing care could receive therapy. Since I had the opportunity to assist in a variety of pediatric settings, I learned many techniques on how to help children like Rebecca. With a child like Rebecca, who was born with a rare syndrome, it is important to approach their treatment by looking at the child as a whole and not a diagnosis. I think it is best to choose activities that the child has an interest in, like how Rebecca was happy when dancing and swimming. Activities that hold more meaning to a child can encourage their participation and confidence during sessions. I would also focus on alternative communication methods, such as gestures and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Even though she could not verbally communicate, her therapy team worked hard to give her the education needed for alternative communication methods. It is an occupational therapist’s responsibility to be patient, listen with an open mind, and observe body language for signs of likes and dislikes. As a future occupational therapist, I will ensure I can help rehabilitate children while encouraging laughter and a positive environment during my sessions. The family can play a vital role in the rehabilitation process and education of a child living with a disability. To many children, a family can be their first teacher and role models. I believe it is vital that the family is educated on the strategies used in therapy to be implemented outside of scheduled sessions. This allows the child to practice their skills learned in therapy in the real world, where they may face obstacles that therapy teaches them to overcome. I believe it is also important as a future occupational therapist to listen to the family, as they can provide valuable experiences that can affect treatment planning. To me, family members are considered part of the therapy team because of the big role they play in a child’s life by providing support and encouragement. Every day, children like Rebecca have to overcome daily challenges that people may not realize are difficult. Something as simple as brushing your teeth or taking a shower can be more of an obstacle for people living with disabilities. However, with the help of occupational, physical, speech, and music therapists, these children are offered alternative methods to face these obstacles. With the support of the child’s family and their team of therapists, the child can have the confidence to be an active participant in therapy. It takes a team to help rehabilitate a child born with a rare syndrome, but as long as there are therapists who are patient and adapt to the child’s needs, they can be successful. Rebecca’s story has inspired me to pursue pediatric occupational therapy with the patience, understanding, and compassion that her therapy team provided her. I will use the money from this scholarship to pay for school at Jacksonville University, so I can continue on my path to become a pediatric occupational therapist. It is my passion to help children in need like Rebecca and I hope to make a lasting impact in their lives.