Navigating life with a physical difference has shaped my perspective in profound ways. Born with three toes on each foot, I faced unique challenges from an early age, both physically and socially. My condition impacted my mobility, making certain everyday activities more difficult. Finding appropriate footwear, adjusting to different physical activities, and dealing with the stares or questions from peers were constant reminders of my difference. However, these challenges also instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination that has shaped who I am today. Socially, I experienced moments of exclusion and misunderstanding, especially during my early years. Children can be curious but also unintentionally hurtful, and this often made me feel like an outsider. However, over time, I learned to embrace my difference, understanding that it is a part of what makes me unique. This self-acceptance became a crucial part of my identity, helping me develop confidence and empathy for others who feel marginalized or misunderstood. These experiences have also opened my eyes to the broader challenges faced by people with disabilities and those in underserved communities. Living with a physical difference has given me a personal understanding of how systems often overlook or fail to accommodate those who do not fit the mold of what is considered “normal.” This realization has fueled my passion for using my education to advocate for those who, like me, experience barriers in their daily lives. As I continue my academic journey at UC Merced, I aim to focus on areas that will allow me to bring about positive change. Whether through studying policy, healthcare, or community development, I am determined to contribute to creating a more inclusive society. I want to work toward solutions that make life easier for people with disabilities, particularly in terms of accessibility, education, and representation. In addition to working on policies, I also plan to use my personal experiences to mentor others who face similar challenges. I know firsthand how isolating it can feel to navigate the world with a disability, and I hope to offer support and encouragement to others on similar journeys. My goal is to help reshape environments, such as schools and workplaces, so they become more accommodating and empowering for people of all abilities. Ultimately, my disability has given me a unique lens through which I view the world, one that is defined by empathy, resilience, and a desire for equity. I am committed to using my education to break down barriers, create more inclusive spaces, and ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical differences has the opportunity to thrive.

On March 4th, 2006 I was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton hospital in southern California. To my parent’s surprise I was born with three toes on each foot. I was considered an anomaly with no family medical history. The doctors stated that I had a permanent disability. The formal diagnosis indicated a form of fibular hemimelia. The doctors said there would be a possibility I may never walk, play a sport, and that I wouldn’t be like other kids growing up. They asked my parents to file for social security benefits. I am fortunate that my parents didn’t allow me to think in that mindset that there was something wrong with me and never pointed out that I had three toes, there were no special exceptions. It was simply a challenge to overcome. We traveled all over the United States for solutions. Doctors were too afraid to operate due to how rare my condition is in fear of making it worse. I was told sports would not be an option. As I grew, I broke these false claims of walking. I began walking at the age of ten months and playing sports. As I grew older and I put on weight, I was able to walk but I kept having recurring fractures in my feet which made playing sports more difficult. My feet also grew tired with even a short trip to the grocery store. My parents continued to seek solutions. It wasn’t until I met a doctor at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland at the age of ten that recommended a noodle brace that Marines were using on lower extremities as a result of explosions in Iraq. This brace converts energy from my feet to my legs. These orthopedic braces ended up being a game changer for me and have changed my life forever. I came to several realizations. I realized that someone else’s opinion doesn’t have to be your reality and to keep fighting for a solution. Another realization I came to is that people use the word overcome in reference to disability, they are more accurately describing the barriers that society puts in our way. A disability does not define you. This has provided me with a new understanding of myself as well as others with disabilities. My disability has affected my educational achievement in that communication with my teachers was imperative if I needed to miss school for the many appointments or minor surgeries that related to my feet through the years. I had to communicate my limitations. Children with physical disabilities are limited in all aspects of their lives in one way or another. This creates confusion and frustration that I had to work through when it came to my educational achievement. My disability isn’t something to grieve over, or be ashamed of, it is simply my story. To fully embrace a challenge, you need to begin with the end in mind and understand your goals, while immersing yourself in everyday actions and learn to cope to succeed. I plan to graduate in June from Sage Creek High School and plan to attend University of California at Merced (UC Merced) in the fall. This scholarship would help fund my next chapter UC Merced so I don't have to take loans out. I will be an advocate for life for those that have physical disabilities and will always honor Robert and Suzi DeGennaro.

I was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton with three toes on each foot and limited bone structure. I was considered permanently disabled with a formal diagnosis of fibular hemimelia, to which doctors stated I would never walk or live a normal kid life. One of the leading life lessons I learned early in life was a positive mindset. Using that mindset, I took steps to adapt and overcome. Dedicating myself to a positive mindset was critical to reaching the vantage point that nothing is wrong with me, and quite simply, it is a challenge to navigate. My positive mindset allowed me to defy the odds, as I could walk and play sports with molded inserts. This step helped me focus on the good and see what is possible, not just regarding my feet but also how to be the best version of myself. As I grew older, I had to keep adapting due to recurring fractures in my feet, which made walking, daily life, and sports more difficult. I continued to seek pathways to help me succeed and discovered a noodle brace service members used to recover from lower extremity injuries. This brace converts energy and lessens the impact from my feet to my calf. These orthopedic braces ended up being a game changer for me to continue to walk and participate in physical activities. I realized that someone else's opinion doesn't have to be your reality, which has propelled my academic achievement. My disability isn't something to grieve over or be ashamed of; it is simply my story. Fully embracing my challenge, I clearly understand my goals while immersing myself in everyday actions and learning to cope to succeed. These steps allowed me to build resiliency that I directly translated to my academic journey. I learned to clearly articulate and communicate well with my teachers while taking on complex concepts with the confidence to navigate and apply them. I realized that someone else's opinion doesn't have to be your reality, which has propelled my academic achievement. My disability isn't something to grieve over or be ashamed of; it is simply my story. Fully embracing my challenge, I clearly understand my goals while immersing myself in everyday actions and learning to cope to succeed. These steps allowed me to build resiliency that I directly translated to my academic journey. I learned to clearly articulate and communicate well with my teachers while taking on complex concepts with the confidence to navigate and apply them. With my work ethic and determination, I will continue on this education journey. My goal is to further my education by attending University of California Merced in the fall of 2024. I plan to major in Engineering. I appreciate being considered for this scholarship, I promise to honor the memory of Frederick and Bernice Beretta and make them proud. One day I WILL give back in the same way they have given opportunity to others that want to better themselves through education.

The "steps I have learned" ring true on many levels to overcome a challenge, as the physical steps themselves were difficult. I was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton with three toes on each foot and limited bone structure. My dad at the time was an active-duty Marine, he has since retired. I was considered permanently disabled with a formal diagnosis of fibular hemimelia, to which doctors stated I would never walk or live a normal kid life. One of the leading life lessons I learned early in life was a positive mindset. Using that mindset, I took steps to adapt and overcome. Dedicating myself to a positive mindset was critical to reaching the vantage point that nothing is wrong with me, and quite simply, it is a challenge to navigate. My positive mindset allowed me to defy the odds, as I could walk and play sports with molded inserts. This step helped me focus on the good and see what is possible, not just regarding my feet but also how to be the best version of myself. As I grew older, I had to keep adapting due to recurring fractures in my feet, which made walking, daily life, and sports more difficult. I continued to seek pathways to help me succeed and discovered a noodle brace service members used to recover from lower extremity injuries. This brace converts energy and lessens the impact from my feet to my calf. These orthopedic braces ended up being a game changer for me to continue to walk and participate in physical activities. I realized that someone else's opinion doesn't have to be your reality, which has propelled my academic achievement. My disability isn't something to grieve over or be ashamed of; it is simply my story. Fully embracing my challenge, I clearly understand my goals while immersing myself in everyday actions and learning to cope to succeed. These steps allowed me to build resiliency that I directly translated to my academic journey. I learned to clearly articulate and communicate well with my teachers while taking on complex concepts with the confidence to navigate and apply them. Although I have no chance of following my Dad's footsteps in joining the military due to my disability, I learned honor, discipline and strength from him and apply it to my life. I plan to attend University of California Merced in the fall of 2024 with an emphasis in engineering. U.S. Army Veteran Donald Mehall serves as an inspiration to me. With honor, discipline and strength that my Dad has taught me I know I will succeed. Semper Fidelis.