resilience by Eliza

resilience by Eliza - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

They told me they didn’t have a cure yet.
It began one April morning in 2011. I woke up in severe pain, unable to move my left leg, with a large lump in my left vastus medialis (thigh) muscle. From one doctor to the next, my case was a mystery. I was a high energy 11-year-old girl who loved to play sports now sitting in doctors’ offices and in MRI machines. I was sent to Children's Hospital in Boston with an MRI that stated “concerning findings.”
Five invasive Sclerotherapy procedures later, my tumor was still unresponsive, but no other treatments were known. Then, in 2014, the researchers and doctors clinically named my condition FAVA (Fibro Adipose Vascular Anomaly), an extremely rare but benign form of tumor. In May of 2014, I endured my biggest surgery. It removed an avocado-sized tumor and left a massive scar and major muscle loss. I worked so hard during recovery because I was determined to walk, live and run again. Sadly, it didn't end there. The tumor grew back and in 2015 and 2016 I had more surgeries. Walking, sports and school were adversely affected. I would start a sports season, but never finish. Being in so much pain and not having a cure was extremely hard to cope with, while staying positive.
So, why am I telling you all of this? There are two reasons. First, I see myself as an extremely resilient and positive person – so knowing about the challenges I’ve faced is important in knowing and understanding who I am. Secondly, the challenges I’ve faced help to explain my uneven high school transcript.
During my freshman year my medical status really impacted my grades. However, with additional support from my family, and more hard work than I thought I had in me, I fought and brought my grades up in my sophomore year. I was even able to play some Ultimate Frisbee (my passion!), until late spring when my symptoms returned.
Another major surgery was needed, but I brought even more focus and determination to beating FAVA as my junior year began. Unfortunately, I had another significant challenge to overcome. Mid-semester of that fall I was sexually assaulted at Northampton High School. He followed me onto an elevator, and with my leg in a brace I was unable to fight back. After the trauma of the assault my family and I decided that I would leave NHS and return to the smaller, safer, supportive Hartsbrook school. I left NHS without fully completing the semester, and my official transcripts reflect this.
This horrific incident turned my life upside down, but I refused to let it hold me back. Going to Northampton High School after the trauma was a trigger, but by removing myself from that school’s unsafe atmosphere I am thriving at my new school and have been able to let myself heal. I’ve come to understand that healing – both physical and emotional - is a long journey and is different for everyone. From physical therapy to trauma therapy I've fought to regain my self worth, confidence and strength. I know that the only way out is forward. Working through my past setbacks as I encountered them has been a journey, but one I'm not giving up on. I fought back to re-ground my life, and with the love and support of my family I am back on track. With each passing day the scars, both physical and emotional, have faded. My grades since attending Hartsbrook show who I really am academically, and I can’t wait to play Ultimate this spring! These challenges have taught me to persevere, to never give up, and to embrace help and support when needed. They have shown me who I am and have inspired my interest in the health sciences. This is why I've chosen the word resilience. When my assault happened I never thought I'd be able to face school or attend college. I have now been accepted to colleges and have fought back and shown I'm ready take on whatever is next. College is where I will be able to thrive and push through all that has set me back.