My desire to become a doctor stems from my daily life experiences. Although, as a young child, I was not quite sure what a doctor's job entails, I always found myself performing acts of care for my brother, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I have seen the ups and downs of what people with disabilities go through to be adequately cared for. I aspire to be a physician to create a difference in caring for individuals and families with a disability. At age two, my older brother was diagnosed with the most severe form of cerebral palsy. His diagnosis did not make my family sad. Instead, it made us aware of the challenges and barriers to healthcare. For as long as I can remember, nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers have been in and out of my household. Even though we have received some help with his care, it has always been our responsibility to cater to his needs. I have learned so much from him. He has taught me how to be patient and resourceful. He always finds ways to express himself, usually by squealing. I've learned to troubleshoot and find things that relax him. In addition, I have taught him sign language and hand signals to communicate efficiently with him. My oldest brother, Temi, has shown me that love has no words because the actions we perform for him have shown through his laughter and well-being. His having cerebral palsy does not define him or our family, but it has brought some challenges in healthcare to light. As a family with a disabled family member living in the United States, there is systemic inequity in healthcare. I still recall days when my mother would sit on hold with healthcare offices to receive help from my brother. Phone call after phone call, still no support from the government for his disability. No matter how much she would explain how he was entirely dependent on us, they would always deny my parents government assistance. The physical, mental, and emotional roller coaster my family rides to access resources has affected our mental health. My mother has suffered from severe depression in a country that has failed her. She moved from Nigeria to the United States, hoping for a healthcare system that prioritizes all individuals, no matter their physical or mental disabilities. A disabled person should not have to fight for proper medical care; it is a right all Americans are supposedly entitled to. There was always a determining factor that would decide whether my family could receive aid. Sometimes they would say our family income is too high to receive help or that we have family members that can take care of him. The Medicaid offices would completely neglect that he needed help as an individual. Someone should not have to be poor or lack basic necessities to be taken seriously with their cry for help. Sleepless days and nights, hundreds of hours worked overtime to ensure a lifestyle their kids can appreciate. The system for individuals with disabilities lacks empathy for families and individuals and needs reconstruction to create a more equitable system. I want to be an advocate for all people, no matter their disability or background. My life experiences have exposed me to many hardships and injustices in the healthcare system. No one should struggle to access the resources they need. I want to be able to help disabled individuals acquire their needs in the U.S. and abroad by traveling, ultimately contributing to the solution for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States and worldwide.

My desire to become a doctor stems from my daily life experiences. Although, as a young child, I was not quite sure what a doctor's job entails, I always found myself performing acts of care for my brother, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I have seen the ups and downs of what people with disabilities go through to be adequately cared for. I aspire to be a physician to create a difference in caring for individuals and families with a disability. At age two, my older brother was diagnosed with the most severe form of cerebral palsy. His diagnosis did not make my family sad. Instead, it made us aware of the challenges and barriers to healthcare. For as long as I can remember, nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers have been in and out of my household. Even though we have received some help with his care, it has always been our responsibility to cater to his needs. I have learned so much from him. He has taught me how to be patient and resourceful. He always finds ways to express himself, usually by squealing. I've learned to troubleshoot and find things that relax him. In addition, I have taught him sign language and hand signals to communicate efficiently with him. My oldest brother, Temi, has shown me that love has no words because the actions we perform for him have shown through his laughter and well-being. His having cerebral palsy does not define him or our family, but it has brought some challenges in healthcare to light. As a family with a disabled family member living in the United States, there is systemic inequity in healthcare. I still recall days when my mother would sit on hold with healthcare offices to receive help from my brother. Phone call after phone call, still no support from the government for his disability. No matter how much she would explain how he was entirely dependent on us, they would always deny my parents government assistance. The physical, mental, and emotional roller coaster my family rides to access resources has affected our mental health. My mother has suffered from severe depression in a country that has failed her. She moved from Nigeria to the United States, hoping for a healthcare system that prioritizes all individuals, no matter their physical or mental disabilities. A disabled person should not have to fight for proper medical care; it is a right all Americans are supposedly entitled to. There was always a determining factor that would decide whether my family could receive aid. Sometimes they would say our family income is too high to receive help or that we have family members that can take care of him. The Medicaid offices would completely neglect that he needed help as an individual. Someone should not have to be poor or lack basic necessities to be taken seriously with their cry for help. Sleepless days and nights, hundreds of hours worked overtime to ensure a lifestyle their kids can appreciate. The system for individuals with disabilities lacks empathy for families and individuals and needs reconstruction to create a more equitable system. I want to be an advocate for all people, no matter their disability or background. My life experiences have exposed me to many hardships and injustices in the healthcare system. No one should struggle to access the resources they need. I want to be able to help disabled individuals acquire their needs in the U.S. and abroad by traveling, ultimately contributing to the solution for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States and worldwide.

My desire to become a doctor stems from my life experiences. Although as a young child, I was not quite sure what a doctor’s job entails; I always found myself performing acts of care. I want to become a physician in order to create a difference in the social inequities in all people. At age two, my older brother was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He was diagnosed with the most severe form of cerebral palsy. His diagnosis did not make my family sad, instead it made us aware of the challenges and barriers in healthcare. For as long as I can remember, nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers have been in and out of my household. Even though we have received some help with his care, it has always been our responsibility to cater to his needs. My mom would always tell us to “go bring Temi’s diapers and pads.” My younger brother and I would always take turns in feeding him his meals. My oldest brother, Temi, has showed us that love has no words because the actions we perform for him have showed through his laughter and wellbeing. Him having cerebral palsy does not define him or our family but it has brought some challenges in healthcare. As a black family living in the united states, there is racial inequity when it comes to healthcare. I still recall days where my mother would sit on hold with healthcare offices to receive help with my brother. No matter how much she would explain how he is fully dependent on us, they would always deny my parents government assistance. Phone call after phone call, still no help from the government for his disability. My mother, a black woman with a master's and doctorate degree, still would not be taken seriously. This goes to show that, no matter how much education or status a black person has, malice and racial injustice can still occur. There were many wonderful white healthcare workers that showed an immense amount of help towards my brother’s case, but the inequity in the system as a whole needs to be changed. According to the National Disability Institute, “Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities experience the greatest disparities for people with disabilities.” Disabled people of color are less likely to be taken seriously in healthcare setting compared to white people. This is a major problem because this results in people of color not seeking medical attention early. Black women also face medical desparities in healthcare. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. Neglect among black people in healthcare settings causes damage, as a result black people are more likely to die of diabetes and highblood pressure due to inadequate are. I want to be an advocate for all people no matter their disability, race, background or sexuality. My life experiences have exposed me to many hardships and injustices in the healthcare system. I want to dedicate my life by adding diversity to the healthcare system and closing the gap in healthcare between white people and people of color in healthcare, ultimately, contributing to the solution for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States.

My desire to become a doctor stems from my life experiences. Although as a young child, I was not quite sure what a doctor’s job entails; I always found myself performing acts of care. I want to become a physician in order to create a difference in the social inequities in all people. At age two, my older brother was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He was diagnosed with the most severe form of cerebral palsy. His diagnosis did not make my family sad, instead it made us aware of the challenges and barriers in healthcare. For as long as I can remember, nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers have been in and out of my household. Even though we have received some help with his care, it has always been our responsibility to cater to his needs. My mom would always tell us to “go bring Temi’s diapers and pads.” My younger brother and I would always take turns in feeding him his meals. My oldest brother, Temi, has showed us that love has no words because the actions we perform for him have showed through his laughter and wellbeing. Him having cerebral palsy does not define him or our family but it has brought some challenges in healthcare. As a black family living in the united states, there is racial inequity when it comes to healthcare. I still recall days where my mother would sit on hold with healthcare offices to receive help with my brother. No matter how much she would explain how he is fully dependent on us, they would always deny my parents government assistance. Phone call after phone call, still no help from the government for his disability. My mother, a black woman with a master's and doctorate degree, still would not be taken seriously. This goes to show that, no matter how much education or status a black person has, malice and racial injustice can still occur. There were many wonderful white healthcare workers that showed an immense amount of help towards my brother’s case, but the inequity in the system as a whole needs to be changed. According to the National Disability Institute, “Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities experience the greatest disparities for people with disabilities.” Disabled people of color are less likely to be taken seriously in healthcare setting compared to white people. This is a major problem because this results in people of color not seeking medical attention early. Black women also face medical desparities in healthcare. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. Neglect among black people in healthcare settings causes damage, as a result black people are more likely to die of diabetes and highblood pressure due to inadequate are. I want to be an advocate for all people no matter their disability, race, background or sexuality. My life experiences have exposed me to many hardships and injustices in the healthcare system. I want to dedicate my life by adding diversity to the healthcare system and closing the gap in healthcare between white people and people of color in healthcare, ultimately, contributing to the solution for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States.

My desire to become a doctor stems from my life experiences. Although as a young child, I was not quite sure what a doctor’s job entails; I always found myself performing acts of care. I want to become a physician in order to create a difference in the social inequities in all people. At age two, my older brother was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He was diagnosed with the most severe form of cerebral palsy. His diagnosis did not make my family sad, instead it made us aware of the challenges and barriers in healthcare. For as long as I can remember, nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers have been in and out of my household. Even though we have received some help with his care, it has always been our responsibility to cater to his needs. My mom would always tell us to “go bring Temi’s diapers and pads.” My younger brother and I would always take turns in feeding him his meals. My oldest brother, Temi, has showed us that love has no words because the actions we perform for him have showed through his laughter and wellbeing. Him having cerebral palsy does not define him or our family but it has brought some challenges in healthcare. As a black family living in the united states, there is racial inequity when it comes to healthcare. I still recall days where my mother would sit on hold with healthcare offices to receive help with my brother. No matter how much she would explain how he is fully dependent on us, they would always deny my parents government assistance. Phone call after phone call, still no help from the government for his disability. My mother, a black woman with a master's and doctorate degree, still would not be taken seriously. This goes to show that, no matter how much education or status a black person has, malice and racial injustice can still occur. There were many wonderful white healthcare workers that showed an immense amount of help towards my brother’s case, but the inequity in the system as a whole needs to be changed. According to the National Disability Institute, “Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities experience the greatest disparities for people with disabilities.” Disabled people of color are less likely to be taken seriously in healthcare setting compared to white people. This is a major problem because this results in people of color not seeking medical attention early. Black women also face medical desparities in healthcare. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. Neglect among black people in healthcare settings causes damage, as a result black people are more likely to die of diabetes and highblood pressure due to inadequate are. I want to be an advocate for all people no matter their disability, race, background or sexuality. My life experiences have exposed me to many hardships and injustices in the healthcare system. I want to dedicate my life by adding diversity to the healthcare system and closing the gap in healthcare between white people and people of color in healthcare, ultimately, contributing to the solution for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States.