You Are Worth It by Jennifer

You Are Worth It by Jennifer - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I were to give an educational TED talk, it would be to geared towards young adults and teaching self-esteem and self-worth. This is a topic that I am passionate about and that effects so many in today’s society especially with the popularity of social media. At age 24, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and unfortunately had a mastectomy. I also went through two rounds of chemotherapy and one round of radiation. I lost my hair, I lost a breast, and at the time I felt like I had lost me. I was diagnosed two days before I was set to take the GMAT exam with dreams of going to London Business School and getting my MBA. My world came crashing down. My battle with cancer lasted four years of my young adult life and my dreams of getting my MBA were put on hold.
I could have moved back home and had my parents take care of me indefinitely. I could have quit my high-pressure job in New York City and stop working all together. I could have given up entirely. But I chose not to. I chose to be strong. I chose to be a survivor in every sense of the word. When you are faced with a life-threatening disease everything else feels trivial really. It’s true, I didn’t feel like myself but luckily outward beauty can be fabricated these days. I did lose my hair but I wore wigs, fabulous ones if I might add. Wigs in different hair styles and colors and lengths. A different wig for every outfit. When I went to the hospital, I dressed like I was going to a cocktail party. I wore high heels, red lips, and a form-fitting dress. Being sick is one thing, but looking sick was not something I ever wanted to partake in.
It all goes back to self-esteem and self-worth. Do you love yourself enough? How important to you is it for other people to like you? Do you take care of yourself and your needs? If there is one thing that being sick taught me is that all we have in this world are our families and our close relationships and our health. When I was sick, not one of my “friends” came to visit me in the hospital or offered to take me to my treatments. Not one offered to go wig shopping with me or bring me something to eat. My parents, my brother, the rest of my family, and my bestfriend were the only ones who were there.
I am not bitter, I am merely stating the facts. It is this truth that has made me the person I am today. I picked up the pieces. Focused on my career. Made it to Columbia University and applied for graduate school and was accepted, after nine years of clawing and fighting for what I ultimately wanted for myself in this life. If I can leave you with one sentiment, it is do not stop going after your dream, do not focus on the small things, and do not let anything or anyone stand in your way. You are worth it.