While searching for colleges to apply to during my senior year of high school, I stumbled upon Elmira College. I knew I was interested in studying psychology and that I had always had a passion for art. I never anticipated that I would be able to create an education and career that incorporated both of my passions. As I explored Elmira's website, I noticed that under the Arts section there was a concentration in art therapy. I was immediately intrigued, as I had yet to see this at any other school. That same day, I scheduled a tour of Elmira College. I had heard of art therapy before; it was often brought up by mentors whom I discussed my future educational goals with, but I had never put much thought into it. “Art therapy” just sounded like a made-up buzzword to me at the time. However, when I stopped to think about what I wanted to do in my career, I listed many potential jobs, but nothing stuck. I began to open my mind to what art therapy could really look like. I realized art therapy didn't just have to be creating a painting or collage to be analyzed by a professional; it could be bringing art into aspects of medicine, psychology, STEM, and social sciences, which previously viewed art as something completely unrelated. Now, a first-year student at Elmira studying Social Work and Art Therapy, I am already eager to find ways to incorporate art into social work practice. I believe art is a tool to bring people together, express ourselves, and discover unknown talents and passions, all important pieces of social work. Frida Kahlo’s artwork and legacy have deeply inspired me to develop a career in art therapy. I was introduced to Frida in elementary school, immediately intrigued by her paintings full of bright colors, flowers, trees, and animals, but most of all herself. While I fell in love with her artwork instantly, I found an even deeper connection through her life story. Frida led a life of many heavy tragedies. She survived not only polio, but also a tragic bus accident at eighteen. However, she did not let this accumulation of pain stop her from pursuing her passions. It inspired her to continue creating art in innovative ways; even while bedridden, she used a special easel to paint. I have lived with chronic pain due to my disability all my life. The life led by Frida Kahlo inspires me to make art accessible to children living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as it is not only a means of expression, but a powerful tool to process pain, grief, and trauma. People with disabilities, children especially, face many stigmas and challenges that can be extremely difficult to cope with. Without healthy, accessible coping mechanisms, people living with disabilities are left behind. I aspire to use art therapy to help children, families, and communities in need of emotional support and social services thrive in health and happiness. Being able to give back to the next generation of children facing struggles similar to the ones I have endured shows me that I have found my purpose. Art therapy is an overlooked method of social support, and I intend to integrate art and establish art therapy programs into communities in need.

On Halloween in 4th grade, I dressed up as Frida Kahlo. The year before, I had dressed as an artist, and two years later I would dress as Bob Ross and win my school’s costume contest. Evidently, I have a distinct love for art. My love of art originates from my mom and aunt. My mom had barely begun her educational journey when I unexpectedly entered her life. As she began nursing school, my aunt cared for me. She continued to watch me, and eventually my younger sister, from the time I was an infant until I was a teenager. When she wasn’t working on a sewing project, she was finding a new craft for us to make together. My Aunt Laura dedicated an entire closet to art supplies, filled with everything from construction paper to glitter glue to finger paint; we were never left bored. Around 3rd grade, I was introduced to Frida Kahlo. I was immediately intrigued by her paintings full of bright colors, flowers, trees, and animals, but most of all herself. Frida’s self-portraits vividly illustrate her relationship with herself, her body, and her culture. While I fell in love with her artwork instantly, I found an even deeper connection through her life story. Frida led a life of many heavy tragedies. Frida survived not only polio at the young age of five, but also a tragic bus accident at eighteen. However, she did not let this accumulation of pain stop her from pursuing her passions. Frida’s life was deeply inspiring to me; her legacy helped me realize that enduring pain can create a unique perspective that many may not understand. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of five after having pain beginning at age two. My pain was an immense challenge I faced growing up; I endured struggles physically, mentally, and socially. As I transitioned into high school, I dealt with health issues that kept me bedridden, uninspired, and away from anything that brought me joy. My pain was not new to me; however, being in pain as a teenager is far different from being a child who can cry, throw a fit, and hug stuffed animals and feel as if it was in my control. When I was younger, I didn't mind using my wheelchair, but as I grew, I began to resent the attention from adults, my peers, and strangers alike. While I overcame this difficult transition, I always came back to reading about Frida and analyzing her artwork; it was comforting. I am still learning how to live with my disability, carrying the weight of chronic pain with me every day. Frida’s work connects me to someone who overcame struggles similar to mine and used art as an outlet for pain. My family recently visited Frida’s home, Casa Azul, in Mexico City. I observed artifacts from Frida’s life, including photos, an easel designed for her to use while bedridden, and even her leg brace, which she hid behind long skirts and dresses. She designed and hand-sewed her dresses as well as corsets to mask physical disabilities she lived with. Nothing has ever connected me to art more than seeing art created for such an intimate purpose, made to keep a secret and leave something unrevealed. This fall, I will be studying Art Therapy at Elmira College. I aspire to use art to help children, families, and communities thrive in health and happiness. Frida’s legacy continues to inspire me to use art to express my unique experience and make an impact.

Throughout elementary and middle school, I was a very successful student. However, in 8th grade, I began to experience anxiety surrounding my health and school. I was still able to attend school, maintain good grades, and remain very involved in my community during this time. When I transitioned into high school, I developed worsening health issues due to my chronic illness, along with increased anxiety. Due to my circumstances in my freshman year, I was frequently absent and socially isolated, and my grades began to decline. Consequently, I had to drop my honors classes and attempt to keep up with schoolwork while constantly battling my pain. Towards the middle of the year, my counselors allowed me to attend virtual school as it was my only option to pass my classes. This was incredibly disheartening for me. Once an overachiever in school, when I was unable to attend school, I felt like I had failed myself, and there was no way to recover. In the end, I did not earn any credits during ninth grade, and I had to make up missed courses throughout the rest of high school. While this was incredibly difficult, I have learned so much about myself and what it takes to be a good student. As a result, I have become more involved with my school and community. I look back on my younger self with compassion and grace, because this experience has given me opportunities that I would never have had without the hardships I have faced. I am grateful for the support I have had over the years that has allowed me to develop a strong character with empathy, resourcefulness, and the determination to reach my goals. I feel as though I have never been fully at peace with my body. It feels as if it is constantly putting up a fight. Having a chronic illness can be a very lonely thing. Nobody gets it, even though they try to. At the end of the day, it’s still a struggle to get out of bed in the morning, still staying home even when I want to go out, still behind everybody else, still feeling sorry for myself. Nobody wants to talk about the disparaging impacts this has on your mental health. Except, of course, me. I understand why physical and mental health struggles are such taboo topics. Nobody wants to truly understand the pain of another person’s struggles, it would be an overwhelming grief and sadness. However, I believe we have a duty to put collective over individual well-being in order to allow happy and healthy communities to flourish. Community is one of the most important factors in physical and mental wellbeing. This is why I want to go into public health and study psychology and art therapy to eventually work with children in either healthcare or school settings. Social support can truly make a difference for children living with a chronic illness or disability. My academic challenges due to health issues have inspired me to pursue a career path that will help and serve others with needs that have been overlooked by society. I am passionate about health equity, and I have always put others’ needs above my own because I understand the feeling of not being seen. Being able to give back to the next generation of children facing struggles similar to the ones I endured shows me that I have found my purpose in public service.

From ages seven to sixteen, I was a camper at Double H Ranch, a Serious-Fun network camp founded by Paul Newman and Charles R. Wood. Envision your average Adirondack summer camp made accessible, with swimming, horseback riding, archery, fishing, and a ropes course. Normal childhood activities that most wouldn’t think twice about, but may not be possible elsewhere for some children. Last summer, coming full circle, I was able to return to Double H as a Staff-In-Training and work as a camp counselor. Double H Ranch is a non-profit establishment that provides free year-round programs for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The summer camp serves campers with a wide range of illnesses, from blood disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia to neuromuscular disorders, genetic disorders, cancer, and even organ transplants to name a few. Among them, some campers can walk, communicate verbally, and live independently, while others cannot. Working with children with varying physical and emotional needs can be very difficult and is such an important, undervalued job. When I tell my peers working summer jobs how much I get paid, they tell me I should quit and find a better paying job. Little do they know, I didn't take this job working over 70 hours a week for the pay, I made this commitment to provide support for children that bare a heavy weight on their shoulders that no child should endure. As camp counselors our job is to have fun and be a mentor, but it feels like so much more when we are able to create a sense of community for a child that may not have that anywhere else. While working this past summer, I learned more about children with diverse needs, their development, behaviors, and how to care for them. When I found out I would be working with 12-14-year-old boys, I was excited to work with a new age group. Little did I know this experience would teach me more about myself than it would about working with teenage boys. One night, I discovered that two of the boys I was struggling to connect with loved playing with bubbles. Who knew something so silly and childlike could captivate their attention and allow me to get to know these boys who previously weren’t comfortable opening up. After a summer full of absolutely torturous jokes from unenthusiastic pre-teens who had no respect for me, I realized why they act so chaotically. They need love and don’t always know how to express it openly. This was once me as a camper. Double H Ranch has inspired me to pursue a career path that will help and serve others with needs that have been overlooked by society. I am passionate about health equity, and I have always put others’ needs above my own because I understand the feeling of not being seen. Being able to give back to the next generation of children facing struggles similar to the ones I endured shows me that I have found my purpose. This next year I will be returning to Double H as a camp counselor and I will then be attending Elmira College for Psychology and Art Therapy. I plan to work with children in need of emotional support and social services. I am highly empathetic and care deeply for the well-being of children. I can not wait to find my place working with children, whether that is in a school setting or a hospital. I am passionate about advocating for others and believe that social support for children and their families can allow happy and healthy communities to flourish.