From a young age, I was fascinated by how the mind works; an interest sparked when my mother recognized my ability to help others navigate their challenges. This early curiosity grew into a deeper exploration of the mind-body connection, which eventually led me toward physical therapy. Watching educational videos introduced me to the complex interactions between the mind and body in everyday life. I soon realized that I wanted my future profession to involve helping others recover both mentally and physically. I discovered that physical pain can spark mental health issues, which is why physical therapy helps patients both psychologically and physically. One reason why I'm pursuing a doctorate in this career is because I know what it’s like to have limited mobility. I was diagnosed with Lupus, which has dramatically impacted my joint movement. Before my diagnosis, I felt useless and scared; I was not accustomed to my body restricting my ability to walk and lift objects. This helplessness led to depressive episodes which affected my grades and work ethic. After my diagnosis, when prescribed my medication and exercise treatments, I became deeply motivated to make sure that no person felt that same helplessness I once did. Knowing what I am currently going through motivates me to make sure I treat as many patients as I can who have gone through the same issues. Becoming a traveling Physical Therapist is my ultimate professional goal. As a traveling PT, I will not only positively impact the lives of local patients, but also the lives of patients in underserved communities where PTs are most needed. These locations are often composed of people of color, namely African-Americans. Historically, African-Americans are less likely to seek medical care. This is often attributed to a distrust in doctors that don't resemble them. I believe that I can begin to lessen this disparity as a black healthcare professional. Currently, only four percent of Physical Therapists are African-American. It's essential to the health of millions that this number increases. Through my profession, I'll bring vital healthcare to underserved communities because I believe that people who live in these settings should have equal access to quality, reliable healthcare. I understand that a dedication to lifelong learning is crucial for both personal development and giving my future patients the best care possible as I work toward my goal of being a physical therapist. I intend to follow a few crucial procedures throughout my profession to show this dedication. First, in order to better understand different aspects of physical therapy, I have made the decision to take a gap year from school. I've previously worked in pediatrics, orthopedics, and inpatient care. I have not yet completed a rotation in acute care. I think that exposing myself to various physical therapy specialties will help me develop new perspectives and be prepared for graduate school. Second, following graduate school, I intend to obtain certification licenses in both Neurology and Gerontology. Gaining additional expertise in these areas will enable me to offer more comprehensive care, particularly to underserved communities, given the difficulties of treating patients with neurological disorders and the growing demand for specialized care for older adults. My experiences have fueled my passion for physical therapy, and I am committed to using this education to help others recover both physically and mentally. As a traveling physical therapist, I aim to bring quality care to underserved communities where healthcare disparities persist. My commitment to lifelong learning will enable me to provide the best care possible. I am excited to contribute to a profession that embodies compassion, equity, and continuous growth.

In less than thirty minutes, my whole life changed. I still hear the rheumatologist’s words echoing in my ears, “Your body is producing antibodies of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome, Acute Varicella Zoster Infection, and Postherpetic Neuralgia.” I was completely overwhelmed with these diagnoses. Like most, I did not know what they meant, so I turned to Google. My diagnoses meant that my immune system is attacking my organs, it is difficult or painful to swallow at times, I am sensitive to sunlight, I have chronic nerve pain, and I am prone to miscarriages and blood clots. I was not ready for that news. I envision my future as a Physical Therapist, married, with at least two children, gone. The thought of my dream not materializing due to something out of my control was stressful, to say the least. Then I went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions. I was not ready for that either. I knew that medical bills were not cheap, but, until that moment, I did not realize how much is left to pay out-of-pocket, even after insurance is applied. With the additional costs of doctor’s visits, lab work, and expensive prescription medications, my family’s financial situation has taken a turn for the worst. This scholarship is crucial to me because it will relieve financial stress on my mother. She is paying for both my medical expenses and my college tuition on a teacher’s salary, without the help of my father or federal financial aid. My step-father lost his job during the pandemic, and with it, the family’s medical coverage. Now my mother’s already stretched paycheck must cover insurance and groceries for the family. The value of education is something I take very seriously, but in order to help with finances, I considered taking a break from college. This left me in distress. I have worked too hard in school to let my illnesses dictate my trajectory. I know I cannot postpone my education, but I cannot postpone my health either. Through this scholarship, I will not have to choose between my health and my education. With financial assistance, I will be able to further my studies, which will help me achieve my job ambitions. Before medication and a proper diagnosis, I felt helpless and unmotivated. The side effects of my diagnoses restricted my ability to walk and lift objects. At that moment, I threw away any hopes of becoming a future Physical Therapist due to the reasoning that I had limited mobility. The prospect of not accomplishing my goals caused me to experience depression episodes, which harmed my academic and work ethic. I did not see the sense in studying when I believed I could not put what I learned into practice. My crying was just like my pain: it did not stop. It was not until after my diagnosis, when I was prescribed my medication and exercise treatments, that I really was motivated to make sure that no person felt the same way as I did. Knowing what I went through and am still currently going through motivates me to make sure I treat as many people as I can who have gone through the same issues. It is fundamental that no matter how intense the patient’s medical condition or mobility, I would never give up on them or let them give up on themselves as their therapist.