|
|
|
Jennifer's winning essay:
Composition, humanities, philosophies, math and sciences, all give me a broad knowledge base. My psychology courses should definitely help me understand myself (and others) better. My
classes provide occasions for both teamwork and individual initiatives and "off-site" programs and conferences add supplemental enrichments. A liberal arts education will prepare me well for further graduate study and almost unlimited intern, co-op or employment choices. Just before
entering high school, I experienced a "turning point," an instant that changed my whole outlook in life.
I was very short for my age and felt like a "shrimp" compared to my classmates. (Some of them were over a foot taller!) My parents and I decided to visit a specialist, a pediatric endocrinologist, about my height. Thinking the doctor would prescribe extra vitamins or supplements, I was shocked to be diagnosed with Turner Syndrome, a chromosomal defect which affects only girls,
stunts their growth and leads to other life-long medical consequences. Since we never heard of Turner Syndrome before, I did not know what to expect. I was worried about the tests I needed, and sad that I had to have this condition. I was nervous about my growth hormone treatment -
years of daily injections as well as my estrogen therapy. Even with HGH, the doctor said I might only reach 4'10"or 4'11" and unfortunately, I could never have any biological children of my own. I also found out that Turner Syndrome causes some degree of Nonverbal Learning
Disabilities (a neurological disorder) which may impact a person's life in so many different ways. NLD can result in motor skills deficiencies (poor balance, manual dexterity, athletic competence, etc), visual, spatial, organizational misperceptions and time difficulties, as well as
social problems. Instead of feeling "sorry for myself," I've tried to be the very "best" I can be, in school and in the community.
Since NLD impacts my studies and scores, I must put a lot of extra time and effort
in my schoolwork to receive good grades. However, I still try to be involved in many different volunteer activities as that provide a very vital part of my education as well. Finally, my experiences, knowledge (from extensive research), and determination place me in a strong
position to be an advocate for those with TS or NLD. I would like to eliminate any stigmas associated with learning disabilities and correct any false facts. Regrettably, I have seen misinformation about TS in my current college-level textbooks. That leads me to the "straight forward" media portion of this application, a notion that is perhaps the hallmark
of a campaign that I have been working on for the past three years. I received a Girl Scout Gold Award for a comprehensive multi-media project, "Turning Wheels - A Turner Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Awareness Campaign." This program is ongoing as it is definitely a "labor of love" for me! The centerpiece of my "Turning Wheels" project is "Turner Town," an inter-active educational village of dollhouses. Each of the buildings has its own individual storyboard depicting some of the everyday challenges of a girl with TS and NLD.
As all girls with TS are much shorter than their expected heights, it seemed very
appropriate to have "mini" houses in this display! Turner Town is designed to be a self-teaching tool for ALL age groups. Young children and adults can relate to the heroine of the town, Joy, a girl who has both TS and NLD. Her adventures (and misadventures) may parallel some of
the events that happened in their lives as well. The scene and character portrayals try to offer practical solutions to the dilemmas or a positive thought about the problem. Since TS may be undetected for several years and NLD is often an "invisible" learning disorder, it is
so very important that EVERYONE - parents, teachers, doctors, relatives and friends learn how to recognize these symptoms and conditions and support those who are affected. Turner Town promotes better identification, testing and treatment of those affected by TS or NLD.
Finally, Turner Town wants to promote a genuine feeling of acceptance, tolerance, and compassion for those people who might be considered a bit "different," or who may be struggling with medical challenges and/or learning issues. Even “short” people sometimes face an unfair bias.
Turner Town strives to eliminate all of these unfortunate stigmas. Turner Town tries to convey a message of courage, hope and faith in oneself despite any disability! Turner Town is a place where each and everyone is special and is treated as such! In addition to this
traveling exhibit, I created a number of workshop materials, medical posters, related activities for children (games, puzzles, "fast-fact" flip books, etc.), a wooden block "Turner Town Tot Lot" for the pre-school set, a newsletter for teens ("Turner Town Times"), photo collages, a comparison growth chart and adult resource guidebook. I have given speaking presentations to both adult and youth audiences. Another part of "Turning Wheels" is a reference/lending library of books about
Turner Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities. I established this specialized library as normally this material cannot be found in bookstores or local libraries. I have about eight hundred dollars worth of books in my lending library, but the knowledge is priceless.
I have outfitted a rolling suitcase with magazine dividers for easy portability and book display. These books were bought with money from private fund-raisers I held during last summer (two garage sales and a neighborhood bottle drive). I have distributed booklists of my TS/NLD
library to teachers, doctors, librarians, special education personnel, parents and anyone else who was interested. Presently, I am a volunteer with the Turner Syndrome Society and the MAGIC Foundation to help guide those with questions about this chromosomal disorder. Parents, TS women,
students, even doctors (from around the country) have contacted me for TS information and personal stories. I assisted students with class assignments. I have corresponded with an older TS woman who never met anyone with this syndrome and was desperately looking for answers. A
couple of teenagers asked for advice - one thought she had some TS "symptoms" and wondered if she should be tested. Another girl evidently was diagnosed with TS when she was younger, but was never told about it. She found the old report recently, and was concerned about her health.
Through this work, I realize that one person can definitely affect many lives. My local TS/NLD Awareness Campaign continues. I have befriended a lady closer to home (who had seen my project at the city library). She learned that she was expecting a TS baby and was advised to terminateher pregnancy (an unacceptable option for her). I was able to provide the latest information and some reassurance to her and she now has a beautiful "relatively healthy" one-year-old daughter. This mother is more prepared to face any medical and/or academic challenges her child
may experience in the future. I've also volunteered to supervise younger TS girls at the TSSUS convention in Minneapolis as well as during a conference at the Children's Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Hopefully, by sharing my own experiences, I gave these girls a little more self-confidence. I further continued participation in significant research studies (at Stanford University, National Institute of Health, etc.) in hopes that my involvement will lead to better identification
and treatment for others affected. At UMD, I am proud have been on the Dean's List while included in the Honors Program which emphasizes thought, reflection, and growth through reading the works of revolutionaries, analysis of texts, and the quest for answers. Although
challenging this curriculum focuses on the actions of innovators, philosophers and/or people who often "think outside the box." (In some ways, I feel like one of those trailblazers myself, promoting TS/NLD awareness while searching for better solutions to both the medical and
academic implications.) In addition to my studies, I am pleased to be involved with a number of school clubs, Phi Sigma Sigma activities and community service events.
I was a Livonia Observer student reporter, sponsored benefits for the National Kidney Foundation, planted trees in Detroit, conducted raffles and bake sales, created posters for charity
events, answered phones for PBS pledges, decorated paper goods for Children's Hospital, hosted a Valentine senior citizen dance, walked in a 5K Breast Cancer fundraiser among other charitable causes. On campus, I joined in diverse volunteer activities on "Make-a-Difference Day" and
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. I have also accompanied other college students for pro-life activities, such as the "March for Life" in Washington, DC (1/22/08). I feel strongly about actively supporting important social causes. Finally, some of my work has been featured in
local newspapers and other publications; however, my TS/NLD campaign must go forward and I need to prepare myself with the best education possible. For me, this is to do well in a broad "Liberal Arts" curriculum. The skills and knowledge of such a program can only enhance
my own expertise and lead me to bigger and better things!
|
