When I was 15 years old, a 9th grader in high school, my dad was diagnosed with ALS. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now, as a junior in college, I can say it was like a carpet being pulled out from under my feet. It turned our life upside down - daily life and the things we often take for granted were not so easy anymore. Life became difficult to navigate for my dad and our family. It was a cruel game of constantly catching up. It was heartbreaking and stressful. We continually modified our home and figured out how to make life work for my dad. My dad lost the ability to move, eat, and talk. Little things were now a big deal - like getting out of bed, getting into the car, taking a shower, or eating breakfast. Through it all, my mom and dad always had a good attitude and put on a positive face while struggling with this hardship. They managed to laugh and focused on the good and what we still had - a beautiful, fun family. We talked about ALS, but mostly focused on the now. When my dad passed this past August, I was devastated. I knew what was in store for us with ALS, but nothing could prepare me for him not being here anymore. Financially, it is just as arduous and stressful. My dad was the primary provider for the family and had to stop working in 2021. My mom stopped working in 2022 and became his caretaker. We lived on his Social Security Disability of about $30,000 a year. With my dad having ALS, paying bills, remodeling the house, covering medical bills, and now covering the cost of college has been incredibly difficult. We are still trying to recover from the financial aftermath of ALS. My dad was always very active and involved at home and in the community. He biked, hiked, and loved to take us on family canoe trips. He enjoyed home improvement projects, coaching my soccer team, volunteering at the community garden, and making us laugh with his goofy stories during dinner time. My dad, having ALS, has made me a stronger person and has given me a greater perspective on my life and my future. It has made me aware that I am blessed and fortunate in many ways - from all the little things to the big things like having a supportive family and a dad who has taught me that happiness is a choice that we get to make. We didn't choose this cruel disease, but we can choose the way we deal with it. If awarded this scholarship, it would be enormously helpful! I am a sophomore at Pennsylvania State University, studying Kinesiology. This Scholarship would help me to pay for my college tuition. My goal is to work as a physical therapist and help people living with neuromuscular disorders. Thank you for considering me for the Sandra West ALS Foundation Scholarship.