From Patient to Future Pediatric Surgeon

When I think about my journey so far, I don’t just remember the surgeries or the hospital visits; I remember the people, the small moments of strength, and the quiet determination to keep moving forward, no matter how hard things got. I was born with VACTERL association, a tethered spinal cord and spina bifida occulta, among other things. From the very beginning, my life was full of medical appointments, long hospital stays, and the constant uncertainty that comes with living in a body that doesn’t always work the way it should.

There are a few moments that have stayed with me more than others. Not just the times I was in pain or recovering, but the moments when people showed me kindness, when someone saw me not just as a patient, but as a person. At Children’s Hospital Colorado I found a team that treated me like family. They knew me, listened to me, and made me feel like I mattered. Whether it was the nurse who always remembered how to make me laugh before a procedure, or the tech who made sure I was comfortable before an MRI, those moments helped me get through the hardest days.

Being in and out of hospitals also gave me a different way of seeing the world. It made me more compassionate, more driven, and more determined to help others. I didn’t want everything I’d been through to just be pain. I wanted it to mean something. That’s why I became an ambassador for Children’s Colorado. I share my story not because it’s easy, but because I hope it helps someone else feel seen, understood, or less alone. I want people to know that even when life puts obstacles in front of you, you can still rise above them.

Outside the hospital, I pushed myself to live as fully as I could. I’ve played soccer and tennis for four years, even when it was tough on my body. I joined my church youth group, served on my town’s youth leadership council, and spent two years volunteering in EMS helping others in emergencies, just like people once helped me. I never let my medical journey define my limits. Instead, I used it as motivation to do more, be more, and give more.

Now, I’m preparing to graduate high school, a milestone that once felt so far away. This fall, I’ll be starting college as a biochemistry major. I chose biochemistry because I want to understand the science behind what helped keep me alive and I want to be part of creating even better treatments in the future. I also hope to study abroad during college. I want to see how medicine is practiced around the world, learn new approaches, and understand the global impact of healthcare. Eventually, I hope to attend medical school and become a pediatric surgeon. I’ve been the kid on the operating table, and one day, I want to be the doctor standing beside it, someone who not only understands the science but also the fear, the hope, and the strength it takes to heal.

When I look back on everything, what I’m most proud of isn’t just surviving, it’s staying kind, staying driven, and never letting go of who I am. I’ve learned that strength comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s quiet, like getting out of bed after a hard night. Sometimes it’s loud, like standing up for someone else. And sometimes, it’s simply continuing on, even when no one sees how hard it is.

I’m stepping into this next chapter with gratitude, determination, and a heart full of hope ready to write the next part of my story.