Central High School, Missouri
I am a starter at defensive corner back on my freshman football team. I was an 8 time USA Wrestling All-American while competing on the youth level. I am currently listed 2nd in folkstyle wrestling, and 3rd in freestyle in the Schoolboy division for USA Wrestling Youth National teams. By the way, I am also visually impaired. I was diagnosed with the degenerative retinal disease, x-linked retinoschisis, when I was 7 years old. My visual acuity is currently 20/100 in both eyes.
I am always looking for opportunities to push myself both mentally and physically. I still depend on my sight to accomplish many daily activities. This trip will allow me to face some of the fears that I have about my future if I were to lose my vision. I want to learn how to experience things by touch, smell, hearing, and using my imagination and mind as others describe what they see. I may not ever lose my sight completely, but if I were to lose my vision this trip will give me the confidence that I can still achieve great things.
The trip will be a chance of a lifetime to study a different culture and the people of the region. I am curious how the local people we come in contact with will react to our group. As we exchange ideas and interact with others in the local Peruvian communities, I hope we can change their perception of what a visually impaired or blind person can accomplish.
Before you can be a good leader you sometimes have to learn to listen and follow others. Being a good leader doesn’t mean you will never make mistakes. A sign of a strong leader is when you can understand you have made a mistake and take the right steps to correct your error. Some of my strengths as a leader come from being able to be different from others regardless of peer pressure. Learning to lead can sometimes be difficult, but it is a lifelong process that will make me a better person everyday.
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