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Born 1993
I was born premature and lived in the hospital for the first 4 months of my life. -
Homeschooling!
When I finished the 3rd grade, my mother removed me from the public school system for two years and taught me at home. My teacher at school had too many high need students in her class, so she had the above grade level students read and wait for her. My mom realized that I spent all day reading in a corner by myself and decided that for me, a healthier environment would mean one that was more challenging. Being homeschooled was a very special privilege, and I am extremely grateful. -
Adora
In 2003, my baby cousin came to stay with us while her parents were working. She stayed for about two years, and I loved spoiling her. Because I was homeschooled, I would often end up taking care of her and doing my school work at the same time, so that my mother could run errands or help my brother. I think having that responsibility led to greater maturity and me, and also instilled a constant tendency to multi-task. Devoting your attention to one thing seems like a luxury to me. -
Competitive Sports
When I was in middle school, I began competing and touring with Kangaroo Kids competitive jump rope team. I had practice for 3-4 hours a day six days a week, excluding shows that we would travel for or competitions. I competed with my team in USAJRF Nationals and Junior Olympic tournaments and won multiple medals and trophies. While I was physically in peak condition and very successful, these were some of the saddest years of my life due to a toxic team environment. -
House Fire
When I was a Junior in highschool, my family home burned up. I say burned up, because it was a brick house. The inside disintegrate but the walls stayed high. As a result, my brother and I both moved around between family members and hotels, while my parents worked to find us a new home. I also transferred schools. That year in school was actually my best year of all of them. I attribute that to an amazing school counselor and the absence of hazing. -
Graduated High School, Started College
In the Spring of 2011, I graduated from Centennial High School, and that Fall I enrolled at Bates College, in Lewiston, ME. My goal in attending Bates was to put some distance between myself and my family obligations. While I was happy to be independent though, I found being in an extremely homogeneous environment alienating and almost dropped out. -
TBI
In Fall of 2015, I fell down a flight of stairs on to a concrete pathway. I broke my elbow in two places and sustained a severe concussion and whiplash injury. I do not remember the majority of the following year, and I struggled with basic activities and taking care of myself. After a very long recovery process, I am grateful. My TBI forced me to experience a world of disability that I would never have experience otherwise and taught me how to truly empathize. -
EDUC 260 Timeline Creation Project
I graduated from college this year, and I am working towards earning a teaching certificate. I had originally been an education minor in the teacher certification track, but I dropped it to work more. Now that I am older, I think I have learned to better balance my dreams with my obligations.