How Has Having Essential Tremor Affected My Life? (Scholarship Essay)
Everyone says, “You hold your pencil weird.” In elementary school, teachers would give me those “special” grippy pencil holders so I would hold my pencil correctly. Little did they know I had a unique quirk. I was diagnosed with essential tremor (ET) at the age of three. While this might seem like a detriment to some, I chose to think that God wanted me to have a little more sparkle. When I couldn’t write as well as others, I adapted the way I held my pencil.
Finding ways to overcome ET without drawing attention to myself has always been a challenge. While the way I hold my pencil is not the perfect technique, it did not prevent me from excelling in school. I believe that no matter what condition a person has, they can shine in their own way. That is exactly what I have done.
As I have grown, I have learned to laugh through difficulties. Student leadership is a huge factor in my life. At Christopher Newport University, I have fully embraced leadership through multiple positions. I serve on the President’s Leadership Program Student Advisory Board as the service chair, where I help oversee service initiatives for student leaders. I am also a dedicated member of Phi Mu, holding the positions of social external and philanthropy chair, where I plan events and spearhead philanthropic efforts. My passion for guiding others has led me to apply for the role of leadership facilitator, where I hope to mentor and inspire incoming students this summer.
These leadership roles come with their challenges, however. Every time I step up to speak, my tremors get fully involved. My carefully typed speech on crisp white paper soon becomes creased as my hands begin to shake vigorously. But I refuse to let my tremors take away what I love. I have spoken at university events, presented to student organizations, and represented my peers in leadership forums. Tremors have empowered me to persevere, cherishing the little things that many people take for granted. I have not let my tremors control me—I control my tremors.
Tremors have given me the chance to stand out and prove to the world that they do not define me. Many people aren’t familiar with ET which allows me to educate them. Being different is okay. Every time I get a curious question like, “Why do your hands shake?” I always answer with grace. While I have never been labeled as “the girl with shaky hands,” I am still the shaky-handed girl making the most of every opportunity. I may not fit the perfect mold of what a leader is supposed to be, but I am a strong, passionate, and determined leader nonetheless. I am perfectly imperfect—and that is more than okay.
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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.