Past Hardships Steer Bright Futures by Mitchell

Past Hardships Steer Bright Futures by Mitchell - August 2023 Scholarship Essay

In first grade, I was diagnosed with spastic paraparesis, cerebral palsy, and stiff-man syndrome. These were all hypotheses because my doctors couldn’t determine my correct diagnosis. I began wearing painful leg braces, in third grade I began using a wheelchair, in fourth, fifth, and ninth grade, I underwent several surgeries, to straighten my feet, which resembled that of a person with clubfeet. During those years, every three months, I had to receive several Botox injections on both my arms and legs and take several medications, because my muscles were so stiff. By the time I started high school, I was unable to walk on my own. My arms began to be as difficult to use as my legs, and my scoliosis made even sitting painful.
During these years, I did not let my disability stop me from achieving my goals, because I advocated for myself. I allowed no one who bullied, or doubted me, to get in my way. Due to my perseverance, I finished middle school as an A student, and student body president. I graduated high school in the top 10%. I taught myself art, and now own my own business, selling paintings, drawings, custom clothing, and logos. Currently, I’m putting myself through college, working two jobs, and at the age of 19, I achieved my biggest accomplishment! I have solved my medical mystery, by finding my correct diagnosis, Dopa Responsive Dystonia. I now receive the proper treatment that allows me to walk, run, and other physical abilities that I couldn’t before.
After conducting extensive research and doing the necessary procedures to discover what my doctors couldn’t, I now use this accomplishment to direct my future. I am now majoring in Special Education, with a minor in Studio Art. It is my dream to use my story to empower special needs and disabled kids, everywhere I go, to advocate for themselves, as I did and become bigger than their diagnosis. I can offer these students a connection that teachers cannot, because for years I was in their exact position, and know how they feel. I can offer these students a level of patience and understanding that only few possess. Being a special education teacher, requires an elevated level of patience, however, when you have been through what these students are going through, you can provide this with ease.
Besides a connection, I can provide these students with an example of all they can conquer, a mentor who can personally relate, and guidance for their parents as well. There are parents all over who have a tough time understanding, dealing, and coping with having a child with a disorder or disability. After having helped my mother understand my doctors, due to language barriers, I can confidently say that I can help my student’s parents as well.
In closing, I’m someone with a disability, who advocated for herself, achieved many goals, and plans to teach other children to do the same. I want to help my students achieve unimaginable accomplishments such as my own. I can help my students’ parents, as I helped my mother, through understanding their children’s situation. As a special education teacher, I can offer my students a personal connection, and a level of patience, that only few possess.