Everyone faces battles every day of their lives, but this year I faced my biggest challenge. During my spring break, I went on an immersion trip to Honduras with my school, and I experienced a culture other than my own. The trip was the best seven days of my life because I was able to experience the food, music, religion, culture, and people. This trip was unforgettable and left me with a significant amount of memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. However, when I got home, I realized something was wrong. After being home for a few days, I became sick. My mom thought it was a good idea for me to go to the doctor since I had just traveled internationally, and she was right. I ended up having a biopsy done, and the results told me that I had APOL1, which is a type of kidney disease. Sitting in the doctor’s office with my parents, listening to all this information at one time, was overwhelming, and I started crying. People are always saying the hardest part is waiting, but actually, it’s getting the news, good or bad. As the doctor explained to my parents about what this meant for the future, I started thinking to myself, “How can I handle this? I am only 16.” When I first heard the words “kidney disease,” my mind immediately went to the worst possible outcome. I would like to play golf again or attend school. During the visit, the doctor told my parents that I would have to start taking medication as well as get my blood drawn weekly before school to check my levels to see if the medicine is working. I have had to take medicine twice a day every twelve hours. I am not able to deviate from this, or it will change how my levels show when I have them checked. I also have to be careful with this medication because it compromises my immune system, so if I’m around someone who is sick, I have a higher chance of becoming sick, which is not good because my symptoms may be worse. This experience has taught me the importance of being more responsible, as I must be punctual with medications and blood draws every week. The experience changed my schedule as well because I had to go to doctors' appointments every other week to see if something needed to be adjusted or if I should stop taking it. Beyond health, this challenge has changed how I approach life. I’ve learned how to ask for help when needed, especially with my teachers and parents. I’ve also learned the importance of cherishing my time with loved ones. As I enter my last year of high school and prepare to move away for college, I’m making a conscious effort to spend quality time with my family and friends. Whether it’s hanging out on weekends, sharing car rides, or watching TV together, I treasure those moments more than ever. Most importantly, I’ve learned the true meaning of sacrifice. I see it every time my parents leave work early to take me to appointments, pick up my medications, or drive me wherever I need to go. Their constant support reminds me that even in life’s hardest battles, I’m never fighting alone. Living with kidney disease hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me into someone stronger, more disciplined, and more grateful. It taught me that life’s challenges don’t define who we are—they reveal who we can become.