Finding My Calling: Bridging the Gap in Healthcare for People with Disabilities

A common topic among my friends is what everyone plans to do after high school. The answers vary—some plan to go straight into the workforce, while others are considering the military, college, or trade school.

For me and my parents, the question was never whether I’d go to college—it was always about what I wanted to study. While my interests have evolved over the years, one thing has remained constant: my deep desire to help and serve people. Growing up with frequent doctor’s appointments and multiple surgeries, I’ve always credited my success to my incredible medical team.

But as much as I admire my medical team, I’ve often felt something was missing—disability representation in healthcare. That’s when the seed was planted for me to pursue a career in the medical field.

Disability representation is vital among all disabilities, but especially for those with Spina Bifida, due to the common misconceptions about the quality of life for those affected.

I was fortunate enough to work with a physical therapist who also had my diagnosis. This experience was life-changing. Working with someone who was not only knowledgeable in the field but also had firsthand experience with many of the same struggles was amazing. It also gave me the reassurance I needed that my dreams were achievable.

Although the desire to work in the medical field was planted early on, it wasn’t until I got involved in adaptive sports that I finalized what I wanted to do.

Wheelchair racing gave me everything I had longed for as a child. It provided me with a way to be involved in school, it fueled my competitive spirit, it gave me a friend group of others with disabilities, and it kept me healthy—allowing me to stay out of physical and occupational therapy.

Through adaptive sports, I learned about recreational therapy, which helps others with disabilities find adaptive recreation. That’s when I knew I had found my calling.

While I’ve always trusted my healthcare team’s advice and know they have my best interests at heart, they don’t have Spina Bifida. They will never truly understand what it’s like to live with the challenges that come with it. This is why I’m passionate about bringing my perspective into the healthcare field.