When I had my first son, I put college on hold to find a closer full-time job. I put him as my priority, which I will never regret. Just two years later, I became pregnant with my daughter. I enrolled in school again, hoping to have her during a break and pick up with school where I left off. However, my uncle, the only male model in my entire life, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given only a few months to live. I put school on hold so that I could be his primary caregiver. I slept on the floor of his bedroom, 24 weeks pregnant, and set my alarm for every two hours so I could wake up and give him his pain medication to keep him comfortable in his last weeks. I also didn't want him to be alone, ever. I never slept anywhere but in that room, on his floor, beside his bed. I also left my job so that I could dedicate my days with him. I cared for his chest tube, medication, dressings, we had no need for home health. I pronounced him deceased at 9:40pm. A part of me was gone. I still had my young son to care for, and I was nearing the end of my pregnancy so I needed to bounce back. After my daughter was born, I decided to become an EMT. It was extremely hard taking classes twice a week with two children. I persisted and passed at the top of my class. I could start my journey caring for many people. I had two more children by 2019, and it was time to become a paramedic. I had changed my goals so that I was able to provide more advanced care for my patients, like when I administered my uncle's pain medication to make him comfortable. Being able to provide pain relief and comfort was a positive part about becoming a paramedic, because EMT's can't do that. Along my journey I became more compassionate, especially to children, the elderly, and those with cancer. When I got cancer in 2020, my journey changed just a little bit more. Because of that experience, I understood what it was like to be a cancer patient, which allowed me to be able to relate to many of my patients better. My goal became to make sure people know they aren't alone if they call upon me for help. Caring for others and making sure no one is alone or in pain changed my identity.

Receiving my education means that I can learn more life-saving skills to use for severely injured or sick patients who require a 911 response. Currently, I am an EMT-B and am certified in basic life saving skills only, but receiving this education and becoming a paramedic allows me to provide each patient with a higher chance of a positive outcome. I've responded to many tragedies where I felt that if I had a higher education, I could have made a difference. I left the hospital each time feeling defeated, even though I became an EMT to help, I felt like I wasn't helping enough. Sometimes, I'd witness other paramedics make careless mistakes due to lack of knowledge on critical runs, and it gives me more motivation and drive to get a higher education so that I can use the knowledge I've learned over so many years, and will continue to learn, to not make some of the same mistakes others were making. Of course we will always make mistakes, because we practice medicine. We don't perfect it. But receiving a higher education can make me feel much better about more patients receiving appropriate care because I know I will strive to do my very best. Receiving a higher education also gives me the opportunity to lead my children by example. I want them to see the very best version of me and to know that education is extremely important in a lot of ways. I want them to see that they can become self-reliant and independent with a good education. Because I have a passion for learning all things medical, I want to be able to show my children that education can be fun. By learning with me while I'm obtaining my education, they might develop a deep interest like mine to educate themselves as well.

As an emergency medical technician, I have to possess a wide range of skills in order to be successful. Over the years I've mastered many, but I believe my best skill is being able to assess patients and determine the next course of action very rapidly. Being in emergency medical services and working for the largest and busiest 911 system in Indiana, we are exposed to many different types of emergencies ranging from trauma to medical. We must prepare ourselves for what we may find when we arrive on scene, because we may need to act quickly. Over the years I've improved this particular skill by constantly refreshing my knowledge on urgent medical conditions; both common, and uncommon. I frequently practice with our equipment, making sure that each important piece is present where it should be and have no defects. By refreshing my memory frequently, it prepares me for the types of runs that we don't see on a regular basis. Watching other providers use their skills they are proficient in is also an excellent way I learn to improve my own skills, including my best skill listed above. I am also enrolled in a paramedic program that will help me to further improve my rapid assessment skills, along with giving me more knowledge and more advanced skills.

On a daily basis, my family motivates me. My children call me their hero and they tell their friends and teachers that their mom is an EMT. They actually do think I'm a superhero, though, because I also survived cancer. I've wanted to become a paramedic for many, many years so that I can hopefully make more negative outcomes into positive outcomes with my expanded knowledge. Time after time I'd see tragedy, injury, sickness, or other emergencies and it left me yearning to learn what could have been done better, so that I could do better the next time. My very own mistakes or lack of knowledge give me motivation to study, gain a higher education, and pursue my dream to be a paramedic so that I could give each patient a better chance. This dream of mine began when I became an adult and looked back on the previous 18 years I spent as an abused child that everyone knew about, no one rescued. My first 18 years were extremely traumatic for me, so when I had my son at age 19, he became my motivation to enter into a career field where I can make a large impact on the world and save others who needed to be saved. Thinking about my son or anyone else battling the same demons I did as a child has been my strongest daily motivation to continue on. Each life I save, each soul I save, each hand I hold, each and connection I make give me motivation. Once I realized that saving others and protecting my children saved me, that became my motivation for everything.

Spreading love to others is the most fulfilling form of happiness to me. I spread love to not just my friends and family, but everyone else. I am an emergency medical technician and I make it a priority to make others feel loved. Before covid-19, people were free to visit and interact with whomever, whenever. Hugs were given, hands were held, and patients sick inside the hospital could have visitors with little to no restrictions. It was easier back then to make people feel loved. When covid-19 happened, the world shut down. Doctors stopped seeing patients, businesses shut down, patients couldn't have visitors anymore, and people were made to stay home. Essential workers such as myself and certain other healthcare providers continued to work and help people. I strived to make everyone feel loved by spending extra time with them, talking to them, and not being afraid of their illness. Most of our patients were alone, lonely, and depressed. Many of them were elderly, sick, and required hospitalization. These patients were deprived of human interaction and touch. Especially those in nursing homes who weren't allowed to have visitors. Regardless of the pandemic, I held their hands anyway. I still them hugs when it was needed the most. I still gave their family hugs when it was needed the most. I visited some patient later on at home to check on them and make sure they have food and necessities. I wanted to show everyone that no matter how lonely it can be, they are still loved. I'm always discovering new ways to make the special people or even strangers in my life feel loved. In return, I feel loved.

In June 2020, I was working as an EMT for the largest and busiest 911 service in Indiana. Covid-19 was spiraling out of control, we had to wear gowns, gloves, eye glasses, and half-face respirators on every call in the scorching heat, and my paramedic class had just been cancelled (because of covid-19). I had waited for years to become a paramedic but couldn't find any assistance, and I had finally been in a place where I was able to, until it was cancelled and the world - and my own world - flipped upside down. On June 6th, 2020, I was referred to the emergency room by a nurse practitioner at my local urgent care. I had a kidney infection, but she suspected I had kidney stones too. I reluctantly drove myself to the closest emergency room. The physician who confirmed kidney stones also found a massive tumor, which turned out to be colon cancer. Covid was shutting everything down and doctors weren't seeing patients unless it was urgent. I couldn't have any visitors, my family couldn't go to my appointments with me. Another tumor was found inside my colon. I had to have surgery. The tumor was the size of a large grapefruit and was genetically tested due to my age. I came back positive for Lynch syndrome, which is a genetic cancer syndrome. This was extremely difficult and all the sudden all my problems before became miniscule compared to cancer. Three months later, at the soonest possible date, I returned to work to be with my fellow warriors. One year later, I was in remission. Less than 2 years later, I was accepted into a paramedic program. Every 3, 6, and 12 months I have testing. I beat cancer!

Growing up as an abused little girl, I had no one I could rely on. My mom and I were victims of a monster who lived with us until I was 7 when he moved just a couple of miles away after their divorce. We reported the abuse many times, but no one came to rescue me. My monster still infiltrated our lives in the worst way. I grew up alone and scared. When I was 19, I decided that I wanted to make sure no one goes through what I went through. I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless, the light in the darkness, the strength for all those who are weak, and the hero I needed as a child but never had. I became an EMT so that I had the opportunity to rescue those who needed to be saved, whether they were adults, children, or animals in any dangerous or harmful situation. I vowed to myself and all those who didn't survive what I survived that I would always respond and that I'd never leave anyone alone and voiceless. Easter Sunday 2021, I responded to a local park for a shooting. Families were gathered all together enjoying their holiday when shots rang out near the basketball court. A young father had been shot, and the shooter took refuge in the bathroom. The 200+ people ran away in sheer terror for their own lives as we continued with law enforcement and the fire department. Once we arrived, we ran directly into danger to save his life, not knowing who or where the shooter was. The young father died at the hospital, and the shooter was never found. The legacy I hope to leave behind is to never leave anybody behind.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi As a first responder, I witness greed, selfishness, and crime consistently. Occasionally, I witness acts of kindness by others that remind me of the good in the world, which leaves me filled with happiness and the desire to spread the same kindness and positivity to others. Everyone has an opinion on what's wrong with the world, but how many are trying to change it? Most people are angry with the big problems that are beyond their control and believe that if they could control these situations, they would be happy. The reality is that we can only control our own morals, beliefs, and behaviors. If we want more compassion and kindness in the world, we need to begin with ourselves and then lead others by example to do the same. When we see people doing good in the world and spreading positivity, it inspires us to do the same. When we become better people, it inspires others to do the same, which is the beginning of a beautiful cycle. One person turns into two people, which turns into 4 people, which turns into 8 people until eventually, the kindness reaches the other side of the Earth. Every single morning I wake up and remind myself to be the change I wish to see in the world. Not only does this bring me happiness and fulfillment, but it allows me to help and inspire others to do the same. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, which is how we can change the world.

Dedicating my skills and knowledge as an emergency medical technician to anyone who calls on me provides me with a special sense of fulfillment and happiness. When I first became an EMT in 2016, I deployed with the American Red Cross to help survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. The two weeks I spent traveling all along the East Coast helping hundreds of victims was one of the happiest times in my life. Being a mother to my four young children and a wife to my husband also brings me a special sense of happiness. Without them, a part of me would be missing. Photography, nature, and reading a book bring about a sense of tranquil happiness when I am feeling negative emotions.

As an emergency medical technician in the largest and busiest 911 service in Indiana, I am aware of the diverse population in which I serve, and enjoy learning about each person's culture, beliefs, and story, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status. Every day, I accept and fulfill obligations to society, other healthcare professionals, and the entire EMS profession. I vowed to myself and the rest of the world a long time ago that I would raise my voice for honesty, truth, and compassion and stand up against injustice and greed. I believe that if people all over the world did this, it would change the Earth. I am raising my four children to stand up with me, and my four children will raise their children to stand up with them, and so on. As an emergency medical technician, I pledge to conserve life, do no harm, and advocate for the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care. I joyfully provide services based on human need, with compassion and respect for human dignity, no matter what. I will always refuse to participate in unethical procedures and immoral behavior. I assume the responsibility for exposing incompetence or inappropriate conduct of others to the appropriate authority in a proper and professional manner. I will always be an advocate and stand for each and every human being regardless of race, nationality, color, or status. As a human being, I support equality and diversity by doing all of the above, AND by hosting support groups for various needs.

Education is one of the most powerful tools a person can have, and with it, we can make most of our dreams come true. Some of the common reasons education is important is because it provides stability and career opportunities, followed by financial security. Having the ability to be independent is something that every child dreams of, and being educated increases one's chances of obtaining a better career, which leads to independence. Education in my career is very important to me for different reasons as well. In the 6 years that I've been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) for the largest and busiest 911 service in Indiana, Indianapolis EMS, I’ve responded to as many as 18 emergency 911 calls in a single 12-hour shift (the current record is 26). I’ve witnessed more tragedy and heartache than many have in a lifetime. Instead of letting each tragedy tear me apart, I channel all my feelings and energy into educating myself and new EMT's so that we can continue to give each patient the best outcome possible. In the medical field, the only thing that remains unchanged is change itself. Medical professionals all over the world are constantly reviewing current guidelines and treatments, conducting research, and developing new and improved evidence-based guidelines. After obtaining an education in the medical field, it is extremely important to continuously review existing skills and learn new skills to keep up with evidence-based medicine. The goal is to provide patients with the best care and outcome possible, which means constant change and development. Today, I am an EMT I’m desperately trying to gain a higher education and become a paramedic, which has an advanced skill set than an EMT-B’s do not. A paramedic is responsible for making life-saving decisions during emergencies, administering life-saving medications, administering analgesia for pain relief, and even some emergency surgical procedures. Having a higher education and continuing my education regularly via in-person trainings, online web seminars, and online e-learning, I can ensure that I am giving each of my patients the best possible treatment by using the most up-to-date guidelines based on research and evidence that I, myself, actively participate in as a pre-hospital provider. For example: Until around four years ago, we would rapidly transport a patient in cardiac arrest to the hospital, doing everything during transport in the back of the moving ambulance. It was thought that the quicker we transported the patient to the hospital, the higher their survival rate could be. However, a cohort study was done and proved the opposite to be true. The study followed 27,705 patients between 2011 and 2015 and showed 4% of those who were transported immediately survived to hospital discharge, versus 8.5% of those who received medical interventions on scene before transport. Education is important to me for more reasons than I can count on both of my hands. However, the most important part about obtaining and continuing education is being able to apply the knowledge and skills I've learned to save countless lives. Maybe in the future, with the help of education, research, and evidence-based medicine, we can turn that 8% survival rate into 50%!

As a young child, I was subject to abuse and rape, which caused the decline in my mental health. The main predator in my life was my step-father, and he was ALWAYS around, no matter what. I didn't even have a bedroom door to shut and lock to escape. When I was 12, I tried taking my own life for the first time. I wrote my mom a heartfelt letter and taped it to my bedside table. I then tried to suffocate myself with my pillow, which was unsuccessful. I tore up the note and burned it so no one would find it. When I was 13, I began self-harming. When I was 14, I developed anorexia. When I was 15, I tried to take my own life a second time. This time, I had a plan A and a plan B. Neither one worked, and I became extremely sick, but was mainly disappointed because I couldn't even end my own life. At 16, I was raped. At 17, I was raped again. At 18, I decided to end my life. This time, I set a particular date and told myself that if God didn't give me a sign before then, I'd make sure I'd succeed this time. April 29th, 2011; the date I was going to finally take my own life. Except, something stopped me. God gave me a sign. I found out I was pregnant that same day. I was anxious to be bringing a child into this world full of devastation and sadness. My son also didn't deserve to be born to a depressed, abused mother with all the baggage I had. After the shock wore off, I realized that this was my chance to close that terrible chapter of my life and re-write a new one. The new one would be filled with hope, strength, and love. God gifted me my son, Kaeden, on December 25th, 2011. The first time I laid eyes on Kaeden, I felt love for the first time in my life. I made it my personal goal to overcome all the demons from my past and change the narrative of my story so that I am no longer a victim, but a survivor who reaches out to others to guide them to to the light. Reflecting back to the times before Kaeden was born when I was alone and was dying inside, I began to realize that I can use my understanding of depression and suicide as a tool to help others. So many others in the world suffer in silence, and I know what suffering in silence looks and feels like. I knew that I needed to be there for all the others who were still fighting to stay alive, like I once was. That's when I became an EMT, with the ultimate goal to become a Paramedic. I form an immediate bond with many people, especially those who call 911. My patients don't always suffer in silence. Some of them continuously reach out for help, but no one takes their hand. These particular patients have been let down by everyone they thought they could trust, resulting in their loneliness, depression, and hopelessness. This then leads to a mental health crisis or suicide attempt, which is usually when 911 becomes involved. My goal with each of these patients is to be their advocate, their friend, and their guide. It becomes my priority to make sure they can rely on me. I strive to be the change that I wish to see in the world. I spread love wherever I go, hoping to impact as many people as I can reach. I don't let anyone come to me without leaving a happier. For the rest of my life, I will raise my voice for those who are voiceless and stand up for those who stand alone. I've grown to understand that sometimes you have to be your own hero. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

As a child, I was lied to by every person I should have been able to trust. Monsters are real (turns out they can even be your own family) and the police don't really help everyone. I spent my entire childhood living a nightmare, screaming out for help. No one came, and I was alone. When I had my first child at 19 years old on Christmas Day 2011, I wasn't alone anymore. For the first time in my entire life, I felt love. My son was pure and innocent, and was the first good thing in my life to ever happen. I knew I'd be spending the rest of my life protecting him and rescuing others who needed rescued. I would never allow my son, or anyone, to suffer alone like I did. In 2016 I became an EMT and woke up each morning reminding myself to be the change I wish to see in the world. I continued to study hard and train so that I would recognize when someone needed to be rescued or saved, but wasn't able to tell me. In the last year alone, I rescued 5 children and numerous adults from horrific situations. Unfortunately, two children I wasn't able to save in time and they passed away as I held them in my arms and worked tirelessly with my partner to restore life in them. The other five children were rescued, removed, and placed in safe homes where they will grow and thrive. Rescuing these children felt like me rescuing myself as a child. Recently, I responded to a 911 call for a woman who had been held hostage and beaten. The woman was very battered and had been trying for years to get away from her abuser, including obtaining a protective order, but he would always be released from jail and return to harm her. This time, she was lucky to escape alive. I stayed by her side throughout transport to the hospital and carefully documented every injury, while sharing my own story with her and letting her know she isn't alone. Once at the hospital, I continued to stay by her side as she was examined by a forensic nurse and photographed by male police officers, which I suspected made her uncomfortable because I, too, had been in that situation. She wasn't alone. I spent as much time with her as I could and provided her with numerous resources, emotional support, and we even shared tears together. I left the hospital hoping that I positively impacted this woman as I marked back in service, ready to respond to the next emergency. Hopefully she no longer felt alone. With the support, encouragement, and resources I provided her, she filed a police report with confidence. Because of my thorough documentation in order to advocate for and protect her, her abuser will be spending most of his life in prison. I will probably never see her again, but I hope that I was able to prove to her that there is still goodness in the world. I hope that she still knows she is never alone. Maybe one day, she can impact someone else in the ways that I impacted her. Helping to heal others is what heals me. My patients never realize that instead of me helping them, they are actually helping me. Each person I reach is one more person out of 7 billion in the entire world, and I'll get to everyone someday. One day, no one will feel alone like I once did.

On October 6th 2016, just three months after becoming an emergency medical technician (which was a dream come true), I left my two children with my mother so that I could jump on the first flight to South Carolina in the wake of hurricane Matthew. I knew I'd miss my children and my family; but there were so many victims that needed me and the new skills that I learned in school. Without hesitation, I contacted the American Red Cross and expressed my desire to help the communities that were in the in the path of the upcoming devastation. Within 48 hours, I found myself at Palmetto Middle School in Mullins, South Carolina being directed to an elderly man who appeared discouraged and lost. The man told another volunteer and myself that he walks 10 miles back and forth everyday to see his wife, who stays in a nursing home. He said that when the hurricane hit, he lost the roof of his home, all of his medications, medical equipment, clothing, and furniture. The only item that this gentleman requested out of everything was a new colostomy bag. The man lifted his shirt to reveal his abdomen with what appeared to be a sandwich bag duct-taped around his stoma. When I stepped away to begin my search for resources for this man, I was told that he lost hope and assumed we couldn't help him. The man had left the building. I ran outside and around the corner to find him waiting to cross the street. I quickly caught up to him and begged him to come back inside and allow me to figure out how to get what he needed. He obliged, and followed me back inside and patiently waiting, speaking of his wife. I was able to find him a decent amount of replacement medical supplies, including colostomy bags. Together, all of us volunteers worked together to find a connection nearby that would also replace his roof with no cost to him. Another resource came forward and volunteered to drive him to and from his wife's nursing home so that he wouldn't have to walk such a long way each day. This man was overcome with emotion and nearly collapsed to the floor. One by one, he hugged each one of us and thanked us. I offered to drive him to his wife because I had more victims to help at another shelter. While driving him to his destination, as I drove over a small bridge, I began to feel the car 'sinking' as I heard what sounded like rocks falling behind me. I had just barely finished crossing when I saw in my rear-view mirror that the bridge had completely collapsed, just as I was driving over it. I stopped and we shared a moment of silence before continuing on our journey; his journey to his wife, and my journey to help more people.