As a college student studying social work, I would work with a child who has a rare disorder like Rebecca’s by creating an individual plan that meets their unique needs. First and foremost, I believe that being gentle and patient is key. Every child is different, and it is important to spend time getting to know their personality, interests, and the way they communicate, even if they are non-verbal. I would begin by forming a team with other professionals—special educators, physical therapists, speech therapists, and social workers to build a plan. This team would help me learn about the child’s strengths and challenges so that we can create strategies that work specifically for them. For example, if a child uses pictures or gestures to communicate, we might use a picture exchange system or simple sign language to help them express their thoughts and feelings. Using fun and engaging activities is another method I would use to reach and teach the child. Whether it’s playing games, drawing, singing, or dancing, these activities can make learning enjoyable. By connecting lessons to the child’s interests, like how Rebecca loved family gatherings and the excitement of a live game, learning becomes more natural and rewarding. I would set small, realistic goals that celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, so that the child feels encouraged every step of the way. Patience is essential when working with children with rare disorders. Progress might be slow, but being consistent and gentle helps build trust. I would take my time to understand their cues and work at a pace that feels comfortable. I believe that every child deserves the time and space to learn in their own way, without pressure or hurry. It is also important to allow the child some alone time to simply be themselves. Sometimes, stepping away from structured activities gives them a chance to relax, process, and enjoy their own company. Accepting that a child is different is vital—not because being different is bad, but because they may need help in ways that are unique. Embracing these differences can empower the child and boost their self-esteem, helping them realize that their individuality is a strength. Family involvement plays an important role in this process. The family knows the child best and can offer valuable insights into what works and what does not. I would work closely with the family to develop the individual plan and ensure that the methods used in school or therapy sessions are also practiced at home. This creates a strong support system for the child and helps them feel secure and understood. Family members can provide encouragement, share stories about what makes the child happy, and help adjust the learning methods to fit the child’s daily life.

Choosing a career is more than finding a job, it is about finding a purpose. For me, that purpose is in social work, where I can truly impact people’s lives. I am passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and supporting those who need help. I believe everyone, regardless of background, deserves to be heard and to have access to resources for their well-being. Too often, people suffer in silence because they do not know where to turn. I have seen this in my community, where many lacked the support needed to seek help. At one point, I did not know where to go either. This experience inspired me to bridge that gap and connect people with the help they need. A key moment that solidified my commitment was the loss of my cousin. He struggled with mental health, and instead of receiving real support, he turned to social media to express his pain. Sadly, his cries went unnoticed, and he took his own life. This tragic event opened my eyes to how many individuals, especially in underrepresented communities, feel invisible and ignored. Too many people turn to social media simply to feel seen rather than accessing professional help. This reality drives me to make a difference. Mental health, especially in minority and low-income communities, is often misunderstood. There is a harmful belief that therapy is only for those who are extremely troubled. In truth, therapy is a powerful tool for healing and growth. Many are taught to suppress their struggles, believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness. I want to change that view and help normalize therapy. It should be seen as a valuable resource for anyone facing life’s challenges. In my role as a youth leader, I have taken steps to make a positive impact. I helped guide incoming freshmen as they transitioned from middle school to high school. I offered mentorship, held mid-year check-ins, and assisted students in improving communication with teachers. I worked to ensure they stayed on track academically and personally. Beyond schoolwork, I supported their personal growth by helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and resilience. I also provided emotional support and connected students to helpful resources. This role reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and community support and deepened my passion for social work. Looking ahead, I hope to work with organizations that offer affordable mental health services, particularly for minority and low-income communities. I aim to educate people about the importance of mental health and ensure therapy is seen as a proactive resource rather than a last resort. I also plan to advocate for policies that increase mental health funding and improve access to care. By combining direct service and policy advocacy, I want to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities that need help the most. Social work is not just a career choice, it is my mission. I want to be someone who listens, advocates, and ensures that no one suffers in silence. Whether through direct service, community outreach, or policy change, I am committed to creating a world where mental health is prioritized and everyone is supported. Everyone deserves to be heard and given the help they need. Through my dedication to social work, I will work to make the world more compassionate, understanding, and mentally healthy. I believe i can build a stronger, more caring community where every individual feels truly valued and empowered to seek the help they deserve today.

Choosing a career is more than finding a job, it is about finding a purpose. For me, that purpose is in social work, where I can truly impact people’s lives. I am passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and supporting those who need help. I believe everyone, regardless of background, deserves to be heard and to have access to resources for their well-being. Too often, people suffer in silence because they do not know where to turn. I have seen this in my community, where lacked the support needed to seek help. At one point, I did not know where to go either. This experience inspired me to bridge that gap and connect people with the help they need. A key moment that solidified my commitment was the loss of my cousin. He struggled with mental health, and instead of receiving real support, he turned to social media to express his pain. Sadly, his cries went unnoticed, and he took his own life. This tragic event opened my eyes to how many individuals, especially in underrepresented communities, feel invisible and ignored. Too many people turn to social media simply to feel seen rather than accessing professional help. This reality drives me to make a difference. Mental health, especially in minority and low-income communities, is often misunderstood. There is a stereotypical belief that therapy is only for those who are extremely troubled. In truth, therapy is a powerful tool for healing and growth. Many are taught to suppress their struggles, believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness. I want to change that view and help normalize therapy. It should be seen as a valuable resource for anyone facing life’s challenges. In my role as a youth leader, I have taken steps to make a positive impact. I helped guide incoming freshmen as they transitioned from middle school to high school. I offered mentorship, held mid-year check-ins, and assisted students in improving communication with teachers. I worked to ensure they stayed on track academically and personally. Beyond schoolwork, I supported their personal growth by helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and resilience. I also provided emotional support and connected students to helpful resources. This role reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and community support and deepened my passion for social work. Looking ahead, I hope to work with organizations that offer affordable mental health services, particularly for minority and low-income communities. I aim to educate people about the importance of mental health and ensure therapy is seen as a proactive resource rather than a last resort. I also plan to advocate for policies that increase mental health funding and improve access to care. By combining direct service and policy advocacy, I want to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities that need help the most. Social work is not just a career choice—it is my mission. I strive to be someone who listens, advocates, and ensures that no one suffers in silence. Whether through direct service, community outreach, or policy change, I am committed to creating a world where mental health is prioritized and everyone is supported. Everyone deserves to be heard and given the help they need. Through my dedication to social work, I will work to make the world more compassionate, understanding, and mentally healthy. I believe I can build a stronger, more caring community where every individual feels truly valued and empowered to seek the help they deserve today.

Choosing a career is more than just picking a job, it’s about finding a purpose. For me, that purpose is in social work. I have always been passionate about advocacy and activism, and I believe that everyone, no matter their background, deserves to be heard and have access to the resources they need. People often struggle in silence simply because they don’t know where to turn for help. I saw this firsthand in my own hometown, where so many individuals needed support but had no idea where to find it. At one point, even I didn’t know where to go. That realization fueled my desire to become the person who can bridge that gap and someone who connects people to the help they deserve. One of the most heartbreaking moments that solidified my decision was the loss of my cousin. He was struggling, and instead of having access to real help, he turned to social media to vent. Unfortunately, no one took him seriously, and he ended up taking his own life. That moment changed everything for me. It made me realize how many people, especially in underrepresented communities, feel unheard and overlooked. The fact that so many individuals turn to social media just to feel seen, rather than having real, accessible support is something that needs to change. Mental health, especially within minority communities, is often dismissed or misunderstood. There’s a stigma that therapy is only for those who are completely “out of their mind,” when in reality, it’s a powerful tool for emotional healing and support. I want to be a part of breaking that stigma. I want to help normalize therapy and make mental health resources accessible to those who have been taught to ignore their struggles. Social work isn’t just a major to me, it’s a mission. I want to bring change to communities like mine, where help exists but is often out of reach. I want to be the person who listens, advocates, and ensures that no one else feels like they have to suffer in silence. making a difference. In the future, I hope to work with organizations that provide affordable and accessible mental health services, especially for minority and low-income communities. I also want to educate people on the importance of mental health and make sure that therapy isn't seen as a last resort, but as a resource that everyone can benefit from. By pursuing a career in social work, I am dedicating my life to creating real change-one conversation, one resource, and one person at a time.