My Journey Into Motherhood

I was nineteen years old when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My mental health caused me to experience daily struggles, and at the time, I was not experiencing healthy relationships with men. I met a man through a phone dating service. He was working at Jiffy Lube in my town, so I met him in person soon after talking on the phone. When I got pregnant, I was 24 and not on the correct medication. I discussed with my mom what exactly I should do with the baby. She told me that I needed to give the baby up for adoption because I would not be able to keep the baby at home where I lived with my mom.

My parents both went to college, and at a young age they emphasized that education is the key to success. They told me to study hard and try the best I can to get good grades. Even in third grade, I knew that I wanted to go to college to become a teacher so I could help children learn and be successful. I also have a learning disability that made school challenging, but I knew that I would have to work hard to achieve my dream of working with children.

After having children, I was on my own supporting myself through school. I applied for loans and financial aid, and I also worked for UPS to support my education. After a year, I was able to complete my associate’s degree at College of DuPage. Over twenty years later, I decided to continue my education at National Louis University to prove to myself that I can complete my bachelor’s degree if I put my mind to it. As an older student, there were challenges such as adapting to technology and finding time to study while balancing family and other comments outside of school.

I have several goals in mind when it comes to using my degree. I would love to work for NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) for example or a similar organization. Also, this scholarship will benefit myself and others by providing the necessities for success. Ultimately, I want to help people with different kinds of disabilities. I am still in contact with one of my daughters and I would like to show her that it is never too late to learn and help others thrive.

Thank you.

– 2025 Scholarship Recipient

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