The greatest driving force in my life has been the fact that I am still here today. When I was born, it almost killed both my mother and me. In order to save my mom’s life, they performed an emergency c-section. I was born at 24 weeks, weighing a little over one pound, and could fit in my mom’s hand. My mom had preeclampsia, a condition that causes an expecting mother’s blood pressure to become dangerously high. The only way to treat preeclampsia is by delivering the baby. The doctors tried to lower my mom’s blood pressure so they could avoid delivering me, but her health became so dire, they were left with no other choice. My parents were informed that they could resuscitate me, but the odds of surviving at 24 weeks was only around 25% or less, and surviving with a good quality of life was slim to none. My parents were told that if I survived, I would more than likely be paralyzed, blind, deaf, have epilepsy, or have impaired cognitive ability, but they decided to try. When I was born, I had to have heart surgery to fix a congenital heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus, so they could ensure I would stay alive. After this procedure, I went to a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U.) where I stayed for four months. Doctors and nurses treated problem after problem that arose as I fought for my life. When I was released from the N.I.C.U., I had to be on oxygen 24/7 because I couldn’t breathe on my own. Once released from the hospital, I had to go to check-ups every six months until I was five. This included seeing a psychiatrist, nutritionist, speech therapist, and eye doctor. I also received in-home care. I was always behind kids my age, but for a premature baby, I was doing exceptionally well. I had very limited impairments. For this reason, doctors called me a miracle baby.
Throughout my life, I have heard the term “miracle baby” over and over. As a little kid, I never really understood what that meant or why they were saying it. As I got older and began to understand my story more, I realized that it was a miracle I survived and was doing so well. I began to understand just how grateful I am for my life and the things I could do that others take for granted. I am grateful I can see and walk. I’m grateful that I can listen to music and play guitar because this is something that I have come to love throughout my life. I am grateful that I can learn and challenge myself mentally. I overcame immense odds and have continued to thrive throughout my life in school and academics.
It is because of this experience that I believe I am here for a reason. I never want to take life for granted, and I want to do something important while I am here, which is why I am planning to go to college to study medicine and become a doctor. Not only am I interested in this field because of my own story, but I also want to make the world a better place and help as many people as I can. My motivation in life has been the fact that I should not be here today, but I am and I intend to make the absolute most out of the time I am given.
I believe that I should be awarded a scholarship for people with congenital heart problems because of the greatest driving force in my life, which is my love for competitive swimming. Despite having a bicuspid aortic valve and heart murmur since I was born, I have never let this condition hold me back from pursuing my passion for swimming.
Swimming has been a constant in my life, and it has taught me the importance of perseverance and determination. Each day, I wake up with the goal of pushing myself to be the best version of myself, both in and out of the pool. I have learned that with hard work and dedication, I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way.
Furthermore, my condition has taught me the value of self-care and how to manage my health. I have to be mindful of my heart's limitations and make sure to take the necessary precautions to ensure my safety. This includes listening to my body and being aware of any signs of fatigue or discomfort, and making sure to schedule regular check-ups with my cardiologist. My experience has also made me appreciate the importance of early detection and access to quality healthcare.
Being a competitive swimmer with a congenital heart condition has also been a source of inspiration for me. I have been able to share my story with others who are going through similar experiences, and it has been fulfilling to know that my experiences have been able to give them hope. I have also been able to raise awareness about congenital heart conditions and the importance of early detection, and I have been able to inspire others to not let their conditions hold them back from pursuing their passions.
In addition to swimming, I am also actively involved in my community, volunteering at local hospitals and participating in events that raise awareness about congenital heart conditions. I am determined to use my experiences to make a positive impact on the lives of others and to be an advocate for early detection and access to quality healthcare.
In conclusion, my love for competitive swimming has been the greatest driving force in my life. Despite having a congenital heart condition, I have never let it hold me back from pursuing my passion. I am determined to continue pushing myself to be the best version of myself, both in and out of the pool, and to be an inspiration to others who are going through similar experiences. I believe that this scholarship will help me to continue to achieve success in my sport, to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and to be an advocate for early detection and access to quality healthcare
The people that have been the greatest driving force in my life have been my parents. I was born with an AV Canal (atrioventricular canal) congenital heart defect, that got diagnosed at 2 weeks old. I was placed in the NICU for about 3 months because of the heart defect and reflux issues. The hospital that I was limited to was about 40 minutes away from my house. So, my parents had to drive that distance constantly to go and visit me. They ended up staying in the Ronald McDonald House while I was in the NICU, out of convenience. Our finical situation was affected by this health crisis. My dad worked, while my mom stayed with me in the hospital. My mom was with me from early in the morning to late at night every day for 3 months. My dad would come and visit me after work. He worked hard every day for my family and still does.
Realizing that my parents have always been there, since day one. They have always been my biggest cheerleader. Always pushing me to do better, and helping me to do better when I fall. My parents have always supported my brother and me with everything. Been to every sports game that we had or any school concert. After they both come home from a long hard day of work, they still make time for family. My parents seem to always have a smile on their faces and are always in a good mood. They always try to find fun little daycations we can go on, whether it’s going to a pumpkin patch or an arcade. Both of them seem to be kids at heart. Some parents look miserable taking their kids to a place where only the kid seems like they are enjoying themselves. When we go to an arcade, my parents play games too with my brother and me.
My parents are an example of how I wanna be in my adult life. I don’t want to be a grumpy adult that hates their life, I want to be a person who tries to have as much fun as they can. When things don’t go the way you expected, just try again. When I have a family, I want to have fun with my kids, and not just sit there and be miserable. People don’t seem to look for the positive in life, even when things don't go their way. I believe everything happens for a reason, and so do my parents. My parents are a good example of how to live your life, just do your best to enjoy it. My parents are the driving force in my life, and to be a great example like them.
