Hometown: Brownstown, MI

Major: Physical Therapy

Estimated Graduation Date: Spring 2028

I have overcome so many things in my life. I was born with hypotonia cerebral palsy. My family feared I would never walk, talk, play like most other children. They provided me with the necessities to get through my diagnosis. I went through many sessions of speech, physical, and occupational therapy, in home therapy, utilized dance, horseback riding, and figure skating as therapy. I never let anything stop me from getting to where I wanted to be.

At the age of 13 I was diagnosed with cancer. This was the most challenging part of my life. I feared all of the complications that could have occurred, hospitalizations, getting a blood clot, having a reaction to chemo, getting sick, relapsing, dying. I also had positive feelings. I always looked for opportunities to make memories going through treatment. Each appointment allowed me to see all of the staff who showed love and compassion for others while going through some of the hardest moments in their life.

Going through cancer treatment left a lot of unknown traumas that I did not realize I would endure. I tried my best to have a positive outlook on life but sometimes it was hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I saw a different outlook on life and had many thoughts about death. Sometimes others do not understand why I perceive the way of life the way I do. Going through chemo treatment at an age where I could fully comprehend and remember everything was odd to me and still is to this day.

Like all other obstacles, I was able to come out stronger mentally and physically. I want to help others overcome challenging times in their life. This is why I am pursuing the physical therapy program. My past is helping to motivate me to get to my dreams. Being awarded the My Hometown Hero scholarship will help me reach my dream to become a physical therapist and be able to help others.