The challenges that I faced and overcame during high school presented me with the unique opportunity to grow and become a better person. These challenges helped me envision what I want to do in life and inspired me to become a physical therapist. I was born with minor cerebral palsy on the right side of my body, which affects the muscles and coordination in my foot and calf. As a result, I walk with a minor limp due to some slight muscle spasticity. Sports are difficult for me because my range of motion is limited. There have been many instances when I had to alter and modify physical activities while keeping a positive mindset. At a young age, I became fascinated with tennis. As I started playing matches competitively, I realized that my speed and agility did not compare to that of my opponents. My coach and I realized that I needed to place the ball more strategically in order to win matches. With hours of practice and hard work, I earned a position on the varsity tennis team my freshman year, and I excelled. The love and passion I have for tennis motivated me to volunteer to work with children at tennis clubs in Midland, Texas. I recognized that I had a heart for helping children learn and grow, and this gave me joy and a sense of purpose. By my junior year, I needed surgery to help loosen the muscles in my foot and improve its appearance by placing pins in my toes to keep them aligned. Unfortunately, the surgery was more extensive than I expected, and I was unable to walk for two months. I learned how to be resilient while navigating my school on a knee scooter surrounded by 2,500 other students. My classes were both upstairs and downstairs, and I was unable to use the stairs. My only option was to use the elevator, but it was often out of order. Instead of dwelling on the problem, I asked friends to carry my scooter as I hopped up and down the stairs very carefully on one foot. Once I was cleared to walk, I was given instructions by a physical therapist on how to stretch properly. During this time, I learned how to be accountable for the progress of my recovery. To regain full potential strength and movement, I needed to consistently do stretches. So, I created alarms on my phone to maintain a stable and reliable schedule. I followed my stretching schedule to a tee and was cleared to resume all physical activity, but difficulties still arose. I found myself dealing with chronic pain for months while trying to get back to the sport I loved. I knew I had to persevere if I wanted to play tennis my senior year, so I stuck with my physical therapy plan and slowly incorporated tennis into my daily life again. During my recovery, I had the opportunity to shadow physical therapists at Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center. Watching these professionals make such a positive change in the lives of children changed my life. I walked straight out of my first session knowing that being a physical therapist was my calling in life. My experiences working with children at tennis camps and observing physical therapists help children overcome physical limitations have opened my eyes to my future. I know that every single moment that challenged me has led me to a purpose driven life. I am excited to make a positive impact in the lives of children in the community I call home one day.

The challenges that I faced and overcame during high school presented me with the unique opportunity to grow and become a better person. These challenges helped me envision what I want to do in life and inspired me to become a physical therapist. I was born with minor cerebral palsy on the right side of my body, which affects the muscles and coordination in my foot and calf. As a result, I walk with a minor limp due to some slight muscle spasticity. Sports are difficult for me because my range of motion is limited. There have been many instances when I had to alter and modify physical activities while keeping a positive mindset. At a young age, I became fascinated with tennis. As I started playing matches competitively, I realized that my speed and agility did not compare to that of my opponents. My coach and I realized that I needed to place the ball more strategically in order to win matches. With hours of practice and hard work, I earned a position on the varsity tennis team my freshman year, and I excelled. The love and passion I have for tennis motivated me to volunteer to work with children at tennis clubs in Midland, Texas. I recognized that I had a heart for helping children learn and grow, and this gave me joy and a sense of purpose. By my junior year, I needed surgery to help loosen the muscles in my foot and improve its appearance by placing pins in my toes to keep them aligned. Unfortunately, the surgery was more extensive than I expected, and I was unable to walk for two months. I learned how to be resilient while navigating my school on a knee scooter surrounded by 2,500 other students. My classes were both upstairs and downstairs, and I was unable to use the stairs. My only option was to use the elevator, but it was often out of order. Instead of dwelling on the problem, I asked friends to carry my scooter as I hopped up and down the stairs very carefully on one foot. Once I was cleared to walk, I was given instructions by a physical therapist on how to stretch properly. During this time, I learned how to be accountable for the progress of my recovery. To regain full potential strength and movement, I needed to consistently do stretches. So, I created alarms on my phone to maintain a stable and reliable schedule. I followed my stretching schedule to a tee and was cleared to resume all physical activity, but difficulties still arose. I found myself dealing with chronic pain for months while trying to get back to the sport I loved. I knew I had to persevere if I wanted to play tennis my senior year, so I stuck with my physical therapy plan and slowly incorporated tennis into my daily life again. During my recovery, I had the opportunity to shadow physical therapists at Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center. Watching these professionals make such a positive change in the lives of children changed my life. I walked straight out of my first session knowing that being a physical therapist was my calling in life. My experiences working with children at tennis camps and observing physical therapists help children overcome physical limitations have opened my eyes to my future. I know that every single moment that challenged me has led me to a purpose driven life.