In February 2021, I was diagnosed with osteomyelitis in my spinal disks. I was only 13 at the time and was worried this infection could end my life. I was in and out of the hospital for 2 months before I was told what I had. Since this is a rare occasion in kids my age, they did not know to look for that specific disease. After a while and 2 biopsies, I was finally diagnosed and started treatment. In those moments, I thought my career in sports and activities was over. Luckily, I had great supportive parents and doctors to get me through this hard time. After a couple of months, I was back home and started home treatment. I was scared, thinking my entire life was ruined at such a young age. Because of this, I began to develop mental health problems. I was depressed and worried about everything. My mother started to notice my actions, and she sat me down. She told me how this is not only a great life lesson but something I will use in my future. I did not understand at the time, but now, at 17 years old and going into college soon, I am finally able to understand what she meant. I healed steadily and began to play soccer again. Sports were the things that made me happiest. It was hard to get back to where I was, but I eventually made it back. Because I did not give up on my passion and love for soccer, I went to 2 national championships and proved this infection could not take me down. As I entered high school, I started to play golf even though it was a struggle with my back; I knew this was what I needed. Today, as a senior in high school, I accomplished my dreams of going to state two years in a row and having my best round be at state. 4 years ago, I would have never guessed my life would end up here, but I proved the odds against me and went for the gold! This long process has taught me many things in life and helped me achieve goals I never knew were possible. It taught me how, no matter how bad something got, there was always a positive side. Rushing to the end will not make you learn anything, but taking your time and focusing on what's around you will grow you in a million ways possible. I learned to be patient, that strength comes from struggle, appreciating the small wins, and that mindset shapes reality. Healing does not happen overnight, and staying motivated without losing hope is a huge win. Since 2020, my mental health has grown stronger every day. Learning to adapt taught me how to connect with my emotions and feel comfort in knowing it's possible to achieve long-term and short-term goals without giving up.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with a spinal infection that the doctors could not explain. I grew up with the struggle of barely walking and the challenges of mental health. I was in the hospital for close to 2 months, being isolated from my loved ones and barely leaving my bed. I struggled with the thought of ever being my old self, thinking I could never be where I was again. I was a very outgoing kid, loved being with my friends, and exploring every detail of the world. But it was all cut short by being in the hospital. At the time, I was not familiar with the meaning of mental health; I was young, and it was not taught in my school or household. For years, I struggled with the true meaning of mental health and whether it is ever curable. I was scared to reach out to someone because I did not know how to. The doctors only told my parents I was diagnosed with it, but never talked to me about it because they thought I was strong enough to recover. I learned I was not strong enough and I needed help. I tried to reach out, but it was hard for me to say it outloud. The things I was going through and stuff that entered my head, no child should ever have to think about. I was scared someone would make fun of me or say I'm overreacting. After years of struggling, I finally gave up and reached out to my cousin. I told him the truth, every detail about what I thought and did to myself. I was shaking, thinking he would not care what I had to say, but he said something I would never forget, "Tutto Passa". It is an Italian saying for "everything passes" that his nonno taught him. At first, I didn't understand, but as he explained the details he went through, I finally understood. I realized I wasn't alone; mental health was something everyone went through, big or small. This gave me the strength to be more open with my feelings, and over time, I learned to control my thoughts and ways to counter what I had in my mind to remind myself I am not alone. Now, as a 17-year-old girl going into college, I have made it my dream to not have children go through what I did. I will go to college and learn about starting my own business, hoping to reach out to bigger companies to show smaller communities need support, so young kids will learn about mental health and the early ways to cope with them unlike the resources I did not get. Mental health will never come to an end, but there is a way to control and react quickly so fewer lives are lost to suicide.

Growing up, I would have never thought I would play golf. I played soccer from the start of when I could walk and played till I was a freshman in high school. Soccer had gotten to much for me, I grew up with a spinal infection I got in early 2021 called Osteomyelitis. The doctors told my parents I would never walk again, and my chances of ever doing sports were gone. Being told that I had to give up on my career in sports and my daily activities, I was heartbroken. All I wanted to do was be a wild child and explore every inch of this world. Thankfully, my parents did not let me give up. They told the doctors to do anything they could, no matter the cost, because they knew I could not live a life in a wheelchair. They gave up hours of work, spending 2 months in the hospital with me until I was finally released home. They found an antibiotic, and it was working. I had finally gained hope again. After giving up soccer, my dad wanted me to try a new sport. He was working at a country club, and his boss, Tom Sipula, offered me some lessons to see if I was interested. At first, I did not like it; I didn't have enough patience for golf, so I almost gave up. Then my dad reminded me how I never gave up in the hosital and I would never be standing if it wasn't for having hope and patience. So I waited, and ended up falling in love with golf. I played throughout high school and spent my entire days on a golf course. Golf had given me something I did not know was possible. It gave me the life lesson of "The moment you give up is the moment you lose the chance of winning." Tom would remind me during matches that just because I have a small bump in my round, it doesn't mean it is over. I took what he said and applied it to real life. I used it in school, work, and when applying for colleges and scholarships. Even today, close to 5 years of still having osteomyelitis, it helps me overcome my pain during rounds and taught me how to control my pain. His quote got me through my toughest times in life with mental struggles, and when I lost my best friend to cancer. I will never forget what he said to me, and I plan on using it for the rest of my life. Because of this quote, I am at the strongest of my abilities and will never give up on my life dreams. I will not give up and have what my parents and coach sacrificed mean nothing. I will become the greatest version of myself because the game of golf has completely changed my life.