How Has Having Essential Tremor Affected My Life? (Scholarship Essay)
Living with essential tremors has shaped nearly every part of my life. I was diagnosed at eight years old. At the time, I did not fully understand what it meant, only that it was something I would live with my entire life.
Essential tremors have affected me in both school and everyday life. My hands often shake, turning simple actions into daily challenges. Tasks that many people consider routine, like using mouthwash, shaving my face, eating a bowl of cereal, or carrying a cup of water, all require extra focus and control. These same struggles followed me into social settings. At lunch, something as simple as eating in front of others could draw attention, and I was sometimes made fun of because of my shaking. Moments like that were difficult and made me feel self-conscious, but they also pushed me to grow stronger mentally.
In school, my tremors made tasks like writing notes or speaking in class much more difficult. I often struggled to keep up with lectures because my hands would not stay steady enough to write quickly. To help control my tremors, I would tuck my chin into my chest or rest my head on my arm while writing to steady myself enough to complete assignments. Even then, I often felt behind despite my effort. Receiving an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in middle school helped by providing accommodations such as extended time and note-taking support, but it did not remove the emotional challenges. I became very aware of how different I was, especially during class presentations.
Despite these challenges, one constant in my life has been my love for sports. I have always been athletic and passionate about competing, especially in soccer. However, my tremors created obstacles even in the activities I loved. Simple actions like throwing the ball inbounds or drinking water during practice were frustrating or embarrassing. In other settings, like playing basketball, my hands would shake while shooting. These moments tested my confidence, but they also strengthened my determination to keep trying.
As I entered high school, my tremors worsened, affecting both my academics and confidence. However, through supportive doctors, family, and my own personal growth, I have learned to adapt and advocate for myself. In college, I made the decision to stop letting my tremors define me and focus on what I can control.
Today, as a sport management student at Florida State University, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree with the goal of achieving a career in football operations at the collegiate or national level. I have learned to advocate for myself so I can have the same opportunities as non-disabled peers and focus on my strengths. Living with essential tremor has not been easy, but it has shaped my resilience, work ethic, and perspective. It has taught me that challenges do not define your future, your response to them does. Receiving this scholarship represents an opportunity to continue building my future and make an impact in the sports industry.
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If you want to be involved in supporting students with essential tremor as they work toward their higher education goals, consider making a donation to the Catherine Rice Scholarship Fund. The IETF awards up to 10 college scholarships each year to students with essential tremor.