Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Please support me!
Since my injury and hospitalization at Highland Hospital in
Oakland, CA, my life has changed for the better. As a patient in the Intensive
Care Unit and then the Transitional Care Unit, I received life-changing
treatment from the hospital staff. Before I was shot in the face, I had a
promising modeling career. Now disfigured, I felt I could never become anything
in the world. It was during those times where I felt my depression at its peak.
I was full of fear, anxiety and doubt.
That
is, until I started developing relationships with the surgeons, doctors and
nurses at Highland. I remember the day I was enlightened. I was alone in my
hospital room, I had a pink makeup mirror in my hand and I was staring at my
face with disbelief, anger and disgust. My nurse Mohammed came into my room. He
looked at the mirror and looked at my facial expression and speed-walked to my
bedside. He snatched that mirror away from my hand and closed it. He looked me
in the eye and said "Listen my dear, things have changed a little, you are
now different in a better way." He told me that it was time to forget
about this (he pointed at my face) and then he said "and now it is time to
work on this," and pointed to my head. He told me that beauty only takes
you so far and that, ultimately, it was your education that helps you prevail
in life. I didn't say a thing, but I soaked up every single word that came out
of his mouth. From then
on I was hopeful and inspired. I wanted to be just like him. I took advantage
of the time I had with my doctors, nurses, respiratory and physical therapist's
to ask them how and why they became health care providers. I asked about
schooling and about their personal connection to the work. Their stories were
very inspiring. As I recuperated, I knew more and more that this was the field
I wanted to get into.
I am
now a student in the Peralta Colleges, studying to become a nurse. I am about a
year and a half away from applying to the nursing program at Cal State East
Bay. (I would love to hear about any other great nursing schools that any of
you might have in mind!) My educational goals are to receive my Nursing Degree
and then to attend Cal's School Of Public Health. My personal experience as a
patient will make me a phenomenal nurse. I know how a patient wants and needs
to be treated, with all of the care, patience, honesty and sensitivity that my
health care providers gave me. My experience at Highland gave me confidence and
generated momentum in me. I am working hard to make those goals a reality.
I am the first in my family to
graduate from high school and to attend college. Currently, I support myself and my family as a full-time violence
prevention educator working with middle and high school students in Oakland. I
also regularly give talks to groups about my life, my injury and my recovery.
As
many of you know ...school has it's cost's and without my family's help I am
the only one paying for all of my college expenses. I am writing you
wholeheartedly to support me in my academic goals. It cost anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 per semester to attend community college. If given I would spend the money on my classes, books,a tutor, a laptop, and project expenses. As a Violence Prevention Educator and
a public speaker, I am willing to help you in anyway that I can, if the
occasion arises. If you would like a reference or speak to me personally you
can contact me at caherigutierrez@gmail.com
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