The moment I was accepted into the University of Georgia marked a victory amidst a cascade of hardships. My mom and I, tears streaming down our faces, shared a moment of pure joy amid the struggles that followed my father's passing six months prior. His absence loomed heavy, a reminder of the milestones he would never witness. Little did I know, just two years later, my mother would join him, leaving my brother and I grappling with the weight of their absence during pivotal moments yet to come.

The descent into my family's struggle began during my sophomore year of high school, as my parents' battle with alcoholism took a devastating toll. With my parents now unemployed, our once-stable and loving home shattered under the weight of financial strain and emotional turmoil. I found myself becoming a caregiver for my younger brother and managing most household tasks. My parents’ medical debt heightened, so I began working jobs year-round to relieve the financial burden on my family.

One morning during my junior year of high school, my brother and I couldn’t wake up my dad. This moment hit my family with emotional and financial shock. The burden of medical debt and inadequate life insurance forced my mother to sell our family home, a painful reminder of happier times, and survival became our sole focus amidst the overwhelming grief. Despite my love for the University of Georgia, my decision to attend was driven by practicality as an in-state student, offering a more cost-effective option in the face of financial uncertainty.

Just two months into the fall of my sophomore year of college, I woke up to a text from my 16-year-old brother saying that he wanted to be the one to tell me that my mom had passed. I immediately drove the two hours home in shock with my reality, angry at myself for not being home, and fear for how I could manage taking care of my brother and me. I am not sure I will ever shake the emotional shock from this moment especially as my parents’ financial legacy continues to loom. Their limited life insurance plans, designed before my brother and I were born, offered little, especially with respect to the mounting cost of medical debt. 

Motivated by my family's struggles, I aspire to become a Substance Abuse Counselor, determined to help others experiencing addiction. I created a club named Students Studying Substance Abuse that unites students to write and share research articles regarding substance abuse. Yet, I am constantly battling the looming thought of financial insecurity from undergrad and graduate school by working throughout the year and seeking scholarships. Looking back, if my parents had adequate life insurance, the burden of funding my education would have been alleviated, allowing me to pursue my career goals while properly grieving their losses. As I continue on my journey, I remain determined to use my battles and the legacy of my parents as a driver of my future.