In the pursuit of happiness, nothing should hold you back. by Laura

In the pursuit of happiness, nothing should hold you back. by Laura - December 2015 Scholarship Essay

In today’s society it is often thought, ”If you’re different than me, you’re inferior.” I would rather agree with Janet Barnes as she once said, "I have not been handicapped by my condition. I am physically challenged and differently able.” In the pursuit of happiness, nothing should hold you back.
My degree would be used to help assist people with special needs. I have a passion for assisting those with special needs both mental and physical. In my years of working with people with disabilities, I have seen many people truly not understand special needs individuals and become nervous when interacting with them. I would make it a goal to help others to be as comfortable with these individuals as I am by giving them the knowledge needed. I would show them how fulfilling it is to watch the individuals accomplish their goals, and to know that they were part of the individual’s success. I want to be the person to help make a difference in not just the life of people with special needs, but everyone involved with them. I want to help teach them daily living skills and help others understand how much they are truly capable of doing for themselves.
After graduating from Hawkeye Community College I plan to start my career as an occupational therapist assistant in a hospital based setting, so I am able to gain experience and knowledge in the field of work I plan on doing. I have worked in health care with the mentally impaired for many years. My passion lies in working with individuals with mental and physical disabilities. It is a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment knowing I make a difference in another's life, by helping them to continue to learn the skills they need to live a normal everyday life. Within my five year mark, I want to be employed with a business that helps special needs and mentally impaired individuals. I want to be the best in my field so I can provide Individuals with the best care I believe they deserve. Also within that five year mark I hope to further my education at a university and become an occupational therapist. After graduating with my full degree, I would like to be able to have my own office and clinic, so I can properly help people understand how to best assist these individuals.
The American Dream is to be able to live life to the fullest. I work hard for my family and would like to be able feel I am attaining what I feel is my self-worth. I have a great compassion for working with mentally and physically disabled individuals and would love to have the education needed to be able to put myself in the position to assist them better.