Eliza The Great: How Sibling Bonds Inspire Future Professions by Sydney

Eliza The Great: How Sibling Bonds Inspire Future Professions by Sydney - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I plan to attend Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSUA) where I will study Kinesiology while playing for the Lady Generals soccer team. Afterwards, I will pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and enter the field of Pediatrics. I became interested in this profession due to my own rehabilitation experience with a knee injury while playing soccer, but my seven-year-old sister has truly inspired me.

Imagine not being able to walk or have much use for your legs as a child after spending three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Eliza was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was born two months premature, and she struggles with things we take for granted daily, like walking. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that causes an imbalance in movement and posture. Seeing my little sister struggle with this disease is truly heartbreaking. It's especially emotional knowing that she entered this world two months early on my birthday. Watching her come to terms with the fact that she can’t do everything other kids can makes it clear to me that she understands she is different from everyone else. I can't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for what she’s going through, and I wish I could take away her pain. However, Eliza refuses to let her condition define who she is. Every day, I am in awe of Eliza because of her drive to push herself and not to let anything hold her back from achieving her goals.

When she first started learning how to move around, she had to crawl. We carried her up flights of stairs, and she relied on a rolling walker. I realize just how much I take for granted, as I never struggled with simple tasks the way she does. She isn’t able to run or jump well. When I visit her, I often see her smile fade as she watches my two-year-old brother, Noah, walk around aimlessly. Eliza's face contorts with sadness and despair when she realizes she can’t walk the way her younger brother does. However, she has been working hard to overcome these challenges through physical therapy. Her dedication has paid off; she is now able to walk without her walker!

Eliza’s journey has been a seesaw of progress and setbacks, but she never gave up. Her resilience has inspired me to become a Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT). As a Pediatric PT, I will help children with injuries and disabilities regain confidence and heal their bodies. I will create an environment where every child feels supported and empowered to achieve their fullest potential. I am committed to achieving these goals by actively seeking opportunities to make a positive impact. I plan to extend my service through community speaking, volunteering at clinics, and promoting injury prevention in schools. By collaborating with like-minded professionals and organizations, I hope to amplify the reach of my efforts. Each step I take is guided by the belief that small acts of service can lead to significant change, and I am eager to contribute to a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Good vibes are contagious, so the more positivity I can spread through physical therapy, the better the world can be.

Eliza’s experience shows us that the world is not all sunshine and rainbows; there is pain, discomfort, and despair. Eliza is not afraid of her condition, and her bravery inspires me to push past my own struggles. Sometimes circumstances are unfair and beyond our control, but through Eliza’s courage to stare her challenges in the face and overcome them, I’m constantly reminded that it is not the awful things that happen to us, but how we respond to them that makes the difference in the kind of life we lead. As a Pediatric Physical Therapist, I plan to lead a life of positivity, courage, and compassion, always keeping the greatest example of it in my mind: my little sister. As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and Eliza loves lemonade!