According to Oxford, the definition of success is “The accomplishment of an aim or a purpose.” Understandably, with this definition, success looks different for everyone. But what exactly does success look like to me? All my life I have been bothered by the way certain people are outcast for things beyond their control. One case that has become especially close to my heart, is the case of the disabled. As I have grown older, I have begun to wonder, what I can do to resolve this problem in my community. So, in other words, although the dream is lofty, ultimate success to me is resolving the differences and discrimination between those with disabilities and those without by changing education. Education is one of the keystones of society. What is done and taught in the classroom, carries over to adulthood. As an early elementary teacher myself, I have begun to take note of how certain classroom structures impacts outside of classroom behavior. For example, the biggest thing I have noticed is that in all situations, the students will to an extent mimic the teachers behavior. So, when we have special needs friends in the classroom, the students mimic my behavior. This makes it all the more important that I treat the student like a normal student. Finding ways to allow the special needs student to participate within activities while still allowing the student to be independent. When I speak to children, I make it very clear that a disability does not mean that a person cannot do something, but that they simply may need to do it a different way. For example, a deaf student can still enjoy music, they simply may do it through feeling the vibrations rather then hearing the notes. Furthermore, it is not our job to tell them what they can or cannot do. We need to ask how we can help them. If all teachers begin to lead by example, and inform students about disabilities, the world would be filled with less ignorant adults and therefore, allowing the brilliant minds of the disabled to share their ideas with the world. In other words, our education system needs to change. I believe that I can do that with the right education. I plan to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University for Communications (specialization in civil discourse) with a minor in public relations. I chose this path because I believe it will give me the ability to eloquently form, present, and argue my ideas to school boards. I see a problem, and I wish to acquire the tools to fix it. But I am incapable of doing it alone. College is an expensive endeavor, and my career path would not allow me to repay my college debt in a timely manner. Therefore, to pursue success, I am seeking scholarships so I can place my attention on pursuing social equality for the disabled rather then financial strains. This 2,500$ scholarship would be an incredible blessing as I continue upon this journey to equality.

In 2022, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was scared to talk to anyone, or even leave the house. These simple actions would send me spiraling into a panic attack. I lived life in a constant state of fight or flight. My doctors had tried medications, and kept upping the dose, but nothing appeared to be working. I was quickly becoming suicidal and resorting to self harm. So, my mom began searching the internet for an answer. Eventually, she discovered, that there are service dogs that assist with PTSD. Not long after she discovered this, she adopted a dog, and found a trainer who had experience training PTSD service dogs that was willing to train the new puppy. We payed about 10,000$ for the training, and four months later, my service dog, Sunny, was fully trained. Sunny was, and still is, a miracle worker. Within weeks, I was able to be out of the house again with significantly less panic attacks. I feel more confident when I have Sunny because she is trained to watch my back and guard me, and I know she won’t let anyone harm me. I also know it gives my mom assurance knowing Sunny will bring me somewhere safe before a panic attack. But, with the positive, has come many negatives. Due to the protection service dogs and their handlers have under the ADA, it makes it very easy for the common citizen to bring their pet in claiming it as a service dog. Sadly, these dogs tend to either be a distraction or a threat. Many are untrained and run rampant. Some, are even aggressive. Sunny and I have been attacked by these false service dogs on three separate occasions. But, worse then the dogs, are the people. As a handler, I have been discriminated against, refused access, verbally abused, and criticized many times because I have a Service dog. Strangers also distract my service dog by attempting to give her commands, petting her, and feeding her on the street. This has infuriated me to no end, and I wish to change that. I plan to attend college with a major in communications with a specialization in civil discord and a minor in public relations. I plan to become a disability advocate in the form of social media, and speaking. The word is one of our most powerful weapons, and I believe that these courses will give me the ability to wield words in the most effective, yet least hurtful way possible. I want to make disability education a regular inclusion nationwide to minimize the amount of children who grow up into uneducated adults. Making the lives of disabled citizens easier by minimizing the amount of ignorant adults they have to interact with.

In 2022, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was scared to talk to anyone, or even leave the house. These simple actions would send me spiraling into a panic attack. I lived life in a constant state of fight or flight. My doctors had tried medications, and kept upping the dose, but nothing appeared to be working. I was quickly becoming suicidal and resorting to self harm. So, my mom began searching the internet for an answer. Eventually, she discovered, that there are service dogs that assist with PTSD. Not long after she discovered this, she adopted a dog, and found a trainer who had experience training PTSD service dogs that was willing to train the new puppy. We payed about 10,000$ for the training, and four months later, my service dog, Sunny, was fully trained. Sunny was, and still is, a miracle worker. Within weeks, I was able to be out of the house again with significantly less panic attacks. I feel more confident when I have Sunny because she is trained to watch my back and guard me, and I know she won’t let anyone harm me. I also know it gives my mom assurance knowing Sunny will bring me somewhere safe before a panic attack. But, with the positive, has come many negatives. Due to the protection service dogs and their handlers have under the ADA, it makes it very easy for the common citizen to bring their pet in claiming it as a service dog. Sadly, these dogs tend to either be a distraction or a threat. Many are untrained and run rampant. Some, are even aggressive. Sunny and I have been attacked by these false service dogs on three separate occasions. But, worse then the dogs, are the people. As a handler, I have been discriminated against, refused access, verbally abused, and criticized many times because I have a Service dog. Strangers also distract my service dog by attempting to give her commands, petting her, and feeding her on the street. This has infuriated me to no end, and I wish to change that. I plan to attend college with a major in communications with a specialization in civil discord and a minor in public relations. I plan to become a disability advocate in the form of social media, and speaking. The word is one of our most powerful weapons, and I believe that these courses will give me the ability to wield words in the most effective, yet least hurtful way possible. I want to make disability education a regular inclusion nationwide to minimize the amount of children who grow up into uneducated adults. Making the lives of disabled citizens easier by minimizing the amount of ignorant adults they have to interact with.