“I was born without a left hand. Growing up, I always played sports. I didn’t realize how different I was until I got to college. Growing up in Eau Claire, and being around everyone I knew was a comfort zone. So when I got to college, and didn’t have sports to fall back on, I couldn’t prove I was normal, so people started asking me weird questions. People would ask questions that were disheartening and upsetting. There was another girl on campus who didn’t have an arm and people would say you should go be friends with her. Why? Because we look the same? It was rough. There were times where I completely hated who I was. I thought I was super ugly and wondered why I didn’t look like everyone else. I went through a lot of depression. It took me a long time to realize that the most important thing is to love and accept yourself. I think in the last 5 years, I’ve completed changed the way I view myself. I’ve had to become mentally strong. Going through all of that is when I realized how important being healthy is. Not just to be skinny or appear a certain way, but to be emotionally ok. If I didn’t have the parents I have, I don’t know how I would be today because they’ve always said you’re strong, you’re beautiful, and you can do anything you want. I’ve sulked before and felt sorry for myself, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. I’m the wellness program administrator for the University of Minnesota. It’s my dream job. I think because of my own personal health situation and what I’ve had to go through, I want to be motivational for someone and show someone that yeah, I don’t have 2 arms, but I’m still here and doing this, you can too. I want to help people realize that you will never feel better unless you make the choice. It’s been a huge process for me. I learn every day. I feel like I have a greater sense of self. I’ve kind of been forced to. Once you learn to love yourself, you can truly love others completely. Being in the health profession has helped me realize that what makes life so beautiful is our differences. At first, I almost kind of hated being different and now it’s almost like I appreciate my difference a little bit more than I ever used to.”