I am a double amputee and I have spent most of my life apologizing for it when it seemed to inconvenience others. It has been a challenge to fit in and find my place in a world that seems to keep pushing me out. When I was younger, I was both physically and verbally bullied because I walked differently than others. Also, I have had countless people tell me that I look funny or joke about my condition without seeing or feeling the pain it causes me. Regardless of all those negative experiences, I kept trying to find where I could be accepted for myself and did not feel like I had to keep changing for others. With all that said, what I soon realized was that the classroom was the place I was looking for. It offered equal opportunities for me to learn and grow with others, without the need to change who I was. It gave me hope and inspiration that I could be known for more than just my disability. I loved that feeling of learning new information with my peers and not being judged for that. I also loved being able to tutor others who are struggling in certain courses that I am currently doing well in. Someone once told me that education is important because it offers opportunities that otherwise you would not be able to take. This statement has been so true for me in countless ways. Education helps me understand the mistakes of the past and how we can improve in the present. It empowers me to take action where no one else is. It has made my dream of helping change the world for the betterment of society closer and closer to being a reality. Being able to further my education has presented its challenges and struggles too, but it has helped me grow in confidence in who I am. Education gives me a sense of direction and the tools that I need to achieve whatever the task at hand is. In summary, education has brought a sense of value by showing me the many possibilities of what I am capable of if I put my mind to it. I have come to the understanding that even though I have difficulty walking at times and cannot even run. Through education, my mind can rival that of the greats. The mind is truly the greatest strength one possesses. It creates an equal playing field and leaves you with the question, "What are you going to do with it?"