My name is Summerly Lear, and at fifteen years old, I was diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome and left fighting for my life. I was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Wolfson Children’s Hospital after developing Toxic Shock Syndrome—a rare and life-threatening condition that caused my body to shut down quickly. Within hours of feeling unwell, I was surrounded by machines, IVs, and faces filled with fear. I spent seven days in the PICU, not knowing if I would make it out. My family was terrified. So were the doctors. So was I. Coming from a divorced household, I had grown used to taking care of myself emotionally and physically. I was the independent one—the girl who didn’t ask for much and didn’t show when she was struggling. But suddenly, I couldn’t function on my own. I needed help with everything: bathing, using the bathroom, managing the pain. Letting others care for me felt unnatural and deeply uncomfortable. But the nurses changed that. They treated me with such dignity and empathy that I slowly began to let go. They didn’t just check my vitals—they talked to me, reassured me, and showed me that it was okay to be vulnerable. I remember one nurse holding my hand while I got my PICC line, another gently explaining what was happening during physical therapy, and several who stayed with me when I was scared or in pain. For the first time, I allowed myself to be comforted. That week in the hospital changed my life forever. It shattered the illusion of control I had clung to as a young teen, but it also opened my eyes to something greater—the incredible impact of compassionate care. I saw how the nurses didn’t just treat illness; they treated fear, loneliness, and the feeling of being helpless. And I knew then that I wanted to become one of them. Three years later, I’ve started my nursing journey at the University of North Florida. I’m no longer the scared girl in the hospital bed—I’m the student studying rigorously, preparing to one day care for children who are just as afraid as I was. Last summer, I interned at Nemours Children’s Hospital, right next to where I was once a patient. Walking those halls again, but now with purpose, solidified my dream. But I want to do more than just care—I want to advocate. Toxic Shock Syndrome isn’t widely talked about, and many girls don’t even know it exists until it’s too late. I want to use my voice to raise awareness, to share my story, and to empower others who may feel alone in their experience. My experience with Toxic Shock Syndrome didn’t just change my path—it changed how I see the world. I know how quickly life can turn. I know how deeply kindness can heal. And I know that my life’s purpose is to save and support the lives of children, just as others once saved mine.