The actions in my life stem from growing up with a farther in the military and a mother in special education, through both I have developed an appreciation for diverse cultures and backgrounds, while recognizing disparities in care and access to resources. These experiences have framed my passion around serving my community. One instance where I have been able to do so is through organizing a district-wide toiletry drive to support teens and youth in my rural community. This idea arose from assessing the needs of my community and the realization that many people in my area lacked what most people would consider basic necessities. I recognized that these basic needs are often essential to providing a foundation for individual success. Through collaborating with special education staff and counselors at schools in my district, I identified families in need and ensured effective distribution of supplies. By partnering with local businesses for donations and engaging community support, we successfully provided over 200 students and families with essential items and raised awareness for what our community needs. The goal of this drive was to alleviate even a small amount of a family's daily struggles to allow them to focus on other aspects of their lives such as education, career opportunities, and social interactions. Seeing the positive impact of this initiative drove me to continue seeking ways to be involved in my community and make an impact. On a more personal level, my sister’s chronic health struggles have provided me with firsthand experience in the lack of accessibility and healthcare in many communities. In learning to support her care, navigating accessibility challenges, and helping her to develop an adaptive lifestyle, I have witnessed the challenges of living with a chronic disability. I have also seen how the lack of independence can be detrimental to mental health. This has deepened my empathy and developed a resolve to find creative solutions for her and others facing similar challenges. Currently, I volunteer with Beep Baseball, an adaptive sport designed to be inclusive to those experiencing visual impairments. Seeing the joy, confidence, and strength these individuals gain from participating is truly an inspiration. My participation in these events has opened my eyes to the ability of these individuals if given the same opportunity as others, while also serving as a reminder that they may not have accesses to these opportunities every day. This experience has highlighted the critical role of assistive technologies in accessibility and leads me to strive towards a career in prosthetics and orthotics to continue this path. Through these experiences, I have sought to help develop both my communities and individuals by meeting fundamental needs, providing equitable experiences, and helping people regain a degree of their independence, thus developing a confidence in themselves and their abilities. I continue to work with adaptive sports, youth groups, and cancer advocacy, in an attempt to make a difference. Knowing, that if I can even help one person, who knows how many people they can then go onto help.