The things this money will allow me to do:
-Cover the cost of the trip
-Allow me to practice my EMT skills in the feild
-Allow me to shadow a doctor (usually only done in med school)
-Provide more care because of additional funds
-Allow me to see some of the surrounding country


Discovering medicine helped me discover myself. 

Last year, I went on a medical trip to provide medical and dental aid in Honduras. It was an experience that helped me to see why I wanted to be in emergency medicine and changed my persepective on life more than even I understand. I think the clinic called to me in many ways, it wasn't just seeing and working with patients, filling perscriptions, teaching kids to brush their teeth, taking vitals, counting pills, assisting tooth extractions, or shadowing a doctor- This was reaching my dream and discovering part of my personality that could and would no longer wait. 

Dreaming of bigger things

I can't tell you how long I wanted to travel. My whole life ive wanted to go places. My mom bought a map for all of us one christmas, and I would look at it for hours and think about all the places I wanted to escape to. A best friend promised me we would go to France, London and Tokoyo when I was in high school and I thought about it all the time. Traveling and college became the two things I never thought I would be able to afford and therefore would never do. 

Fast forward to my life after high school; I changed my major maybe five or six times in college. For the past couple of years I had been at Foothill College working hard on a bachelors-hoping to one day use it. I didn't really know where I was going or even where I had come from. My life was what it was, it was there. 

I had seen the flyers around school, and heard about the club in a few of my classes. It sounded so cool, and I had no idea what I wanted to do. Maybe the school offered a scholarship? I was not able to pay for the trip for a few years, so I watched two years pass where I wanted to go but couldn't afford it. 

Third times the charm

I was able to go finally after two years and it felt like freedom. It felt like I could be myself now that I had accomplished this feat. I had finally traveled somewhere far from home, to learn what the world has to offer. I think Honduras changed my spirit, it taught me to not hesitate. It taught me to not wait for things. I always felt like I was waiting for my life to begin. Making excuses is what I did. Moving out? 'No...life hasn't started yet'. Graduation? 'Not yet!'. Going to Honduras made me no longer wait for the things I wanted. It taught me to not wait for life, but that if you wanted it, it is up to YOU to make it happen. 

Many of you may know last summer I went on a medical trip to Honduras. It was an incredible experience that pulled me into the medical feild. When I came home, I started taking EMT classes. I stopped working on my bachelors degree and started working on something that would provide me with a career path and an education. 

As we finish up our final packing and planning for this year, I cannot help but think about the last year. At this time, I was still trying to find ways to pay for my trip. All the way up until the wire. I don't like not having all of the money for the trip packed up into a neat little envalope ready for me to depart. I am headed off to the adventure and the unknown! To continue my education of the world and to practice emergency medicine. And still...I do not have all the funds, gear and paying for a few of the flights. It still worries me, not having it all together but I have to hope that I can make it all work. 

That is why I am reaching out to my community. Having worked all year preparing for the brigade has left me short on the funds I need for traveling. I would be so greatful to all my friends, family, EMS peers, fellow volunteers and coworkers for any support for my quickly approaching trip. Thank you to everyone who has helped me follow this path to adventure. Every one of you has some how helped me to reach this goal. Even if you were the person helping me switch a shift because I needed extra hours, or if you were the person convincing me I could still do it and not give up. Thank you for helping me.