I believe my mental health is very important since I was diagnosed with adult antisocial disorder (2005), borderline personality disorder (2006), depression (2006), and post-traumatic stress disorder (2009). These disorders took me to a dark place where I was psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 from family situations triggering which made me have a breakdown. Being hospitalized wasn't easy but I learned many coping skills and how to deal with these disorders. I learned the different triggers that were not good for me and how do identify the signs when I have been triggered. After spending time in the hospital, I was released. I didn't want to take any medications, so I had to find alternative ways to deal with my mental health. Continuing therapy sessions was mandatory for me which helped me learn more coping skills and how to stop blaming myself for my abuse. My mental health issues come from childhood abuse (physically, emotionally, and verbally), negative environment while being raised, being bullied in school and home, and witnessing the physical abuse of my mother by my father. He would abuse her and I whenever he would get upset about anything. Not being able to tell anyone what was going on in my home as a child took a toll on me as a kid. As I got older the abuse got worse for myself because I could speak up and defend my mother and me. My mother reached a point where she started fighting back but still did not leave my father for her own personal reasons. At one point we had to move in with my grandmother who got to witness the abuse from my father. She did not allow this to go on anymore especially in her home. My family moved from Chicago to Minnesota leaving me behind with my grandmother in 2000. Living with my grandmother I became close with her, and she taught me how to deal with my anger and having faith in God. Years later I was sent to live again with my family in Minnesota where I was put on the streets for having my father arrested for abusing my mother. While being homeless this is when everything started to get worse and being diagnosed by then it only lead me to being hospitalized. But I learned coping skills, alternative treatments, triggers, and adopting ways to deal with my bad days. Having a love for music and singing, talking with my grandmother weekly, developing a closer relationship with God, using positive affirmations every day, therapy sessions, and writing poetry. These things help me keep a positive outlook on life and give me the strength to function every day. These activities have helped me come a long way helping me develop set goals for myself and return to school to get my education. In 2012 I received my general education diploma, pharmacy technician trade diploma (2014), associate degree in medical coding & billing (2019), & now working on my bachelor's degree in Health Information Management. This year in May I lost my grandmother from declining health reasons. I have adopted more ways to deal with my mental health issues when triggered. My mental health journey has not been an easy one, but I can say I am better and can handle my mental health better. Still dealing with losing my grandmother but what keeps me going is the promise I made to my grandmother to continue working to get my bachelor's degree. This goal helps me stay focused and in a positive head space along with my other activities I been using.

I chose a career in the medical field for many reasons that are close to my heart. My main goal is to become a chief healthcare compliance officer. I have always had a curiosity in the medical field from being a patient. I have always had questions of why, how, when, and what about the medical field. After moving from Chicago to Minneapolis in 2005. I decided to start my educational journey when in 2012 in Minneapolis, MN. I have read many articles and seen many documentaries, news reports and crime medical shows with medical professionals harming patients, running scams amongst other crimes. Experiencing medical services as a patient there are some things, I have seen throughout the years that disturb me. I feel becoming a healthcare compliance officer and working up to becoming the chief healthcare compliance officer I want to help remove these people because they need to be removed immediately. After receiving my general education diploma IN 2012 I enrolled in the pharmacy technician program at Everest Institute. Learning all the components of the pharmacy, insurance, dispensing/preparing medications, pharmacy laws. reading prescriptions, communication, hands-on instruction and other skills. I completed the program with even becoming a pharmacy technician ambassador by being chosen by pharmacist instructor. Graduating with honors in 2013 I then enrolled into the online medical coding and billing program at Ultimate Medical Academy. While attending I was awarded for being on the dean's list and being on the honor roll multiple times. In 2019 I graduated with an associate degree in science for medical coding and billing. From there I enrolled in 2 other online colleges but had to transfer due to program issues. I enrolled in the bachelor's degree online Health Information Management program in 2020 at Southern New Hampshire University. My completion date is in October 2025 I have so far completed 3 courses and achieving honor roll status for previous courses. Just completed healthcare data management which is my third course. Now I will be recognized for being on the honor roll three times consecutively this term. I have experienced many obstacles thrown in my way to try and make me give up on my educational goal. But as you read, I have a plan and I will continue to execute my educational plan until I reach my finish in 2025. At 38 years old I am determined to complete my educational plan and gain all the education & hands-on experience I need so to become a healthcare compliance officer. I have been on this educational journey for years non-stop. Receiving this scholarship would help me reach my 2025 graduation date. I believe things won't change until we change them and if you have an issue with something then change it as my grandmother used to tell me. My grandmother was my biggest supporter from the beginning when I told her my plan. She was my biggest fan and kept me going but unfortunately, she passed away in May 2022. I made a promise to her to be the first grandchild with a bachelor's degree and to my mom to be the first of her children with a bachelor's degree. I want to show my nieces and nephews that you can reach your goals at any age if you are determined and keep focus on the goal you have set.

I believe my mental health is very important since I was diagnosed with adult antisocial disorder (2005), borderline personality disorder (2006), depression (2006), and post-traumatic stress disorder (2009). These disorders took me to a dark place where I was psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 from family situations triggering which made me have a breakdown. Being hospitalized wasn't easy but I learned many coping skills and how to deal with these disorders. I learned the different triggers that were not good for me and how do identify the signs when I have been triggered. After spending time in the hospital, I was released. I didn't want to take any medications, so I had to find alternative ways to deal with my mental health. Continuing therapy sessions was mandatory for me which helped me learn more coping skills and how to stop blaming myself for my abuse. My mental health issues come from childhood abuse (physically, emotionally, and verbally), negative environment while being raised, being bullied in school and home, and witnessing the physical abuse of my mother by my father. He would abuse her and I whenever he would get upset about anything. Not being able to tell anyone what was going on in my home as a child took a toll on me as a kid. As I got older the abuse got worse for myself because I could speak up and defend my mother and me. My mother reached a point where she started fighting back but still did not leave my father for her own personal reasons. At one point we had to move in with my grandmother who got to witness the abuse from my father. She did not allow this to go on anymore especially in her home. My family moved from Chicago to Minnesota leaving me behind with my grandmother in 2000. Living with my grandmother I became close with her, and she taught me how to deal with my anger and having faith in God. Years later I was sent to live again with my family in Minnesota where I was put on the streets for having my father arrested for abusing my mother. While being homeless this is when everything started to get worse and being diagnosed by then it only lead me to being hospitalized. But I learned coping skills, alternative treatments, triggers, and adopting ways to deal with my bad days. Having a love for music and singing, talking with my grandmother weekly, developing a closer relationship with God, using positive affirmations every day, therapy sessions, and writing poetry. These things help me keep a positive outlook on life and give me the strength to function every day. These activities have helped me come a long way helping me develop set goals for myself and return to school to get my education. In 2012 I received my general education diploma, pharmacy technician trade diploma (2014), associate degree in medical coding & billing (2019), & now working on my bachelor's degree in Health Information Management. This year in May I lost my grandmother from declining health reasons. I have adopted more ways to deal with my mental health issues when triggered. My mental health journey has not been an easy one, but I can say I am better and can handle my mental health better. Still dealing with losing my grandmother but what keeps me going is the promise I made to my grandmother to continue working to get my bachelor's degree. This goal helps me stay focused and in a positive head space along with my other activities I been using.

My grandmother's passing in May has been the hardest thing for me to deal with because she finished raising me after my mother moved from Chicago to Minnesota. We became close, and she became my best friend. Whenever I feel depressed, sad, upset, or happy I would call her to work through it. She has been my main motivation for continuing my education since getting my GED in 2012. She would motivate me in every way by telling me she was proud of me and now my best friend is not here anymore. It has made me work harder in continuing my education and getting my bachelor's degree. I would be the first grandchild to have a bachelor's degree in the family and the first of my siblings to have one. I know she would not want me to stop going to school and I made a promise to her before her passing that I will graduate with my degree. So that is what motivates me to continue pursuing my education I cannot break the promise I made to her. I know she is watching over me and helping push me towards success. I only have 16 courses left to complete my health information management program at Southern New Hampshire University online. My grandmother knew how important this is to me to complete. She always taught me never to start something and not finish it no matter what problems may come my way. This is what gives me the drive and dedication to focus on completing my degree program. I know she would not want me to stop now for any reason she would want me to push through and finish.