How Has Having Essential Tremor Affected My Life? (Scholarship Essay)
“Are you nervous?” I have heard these words multiple times over the years after someone sees my shaking hands. I have essential tremor (ET), and many facets of my life have been affected due to this condition. I have had moments when my school counselor, boss, and even customers have noticed and assumed I was nervous and afraid of them because of my shaking hands. This misconception has led to embarrassing social exchanges where I had to explain my condition, and also, moments of distrust where people discredit me due to thinking that I am not confident in my abilities. Despite this, I have still been successful in public settings by becoming president of my local HOSA chapter, and speaking in front of hundreds of members, while also serving as chair of my parliamentary procedure competitive event, proving to myself that I could push past misconceptions about me that arose from ET.
I first noticed an issue with my hands at the end of middle school, and since then, it has become increasingly apparent throughout my life. Essential tremors has impacted my daily activities, including eating, writing, and working in the lab. The most apparent day-to-day issue I have with ET is, of course, the shaking that accompanies the condition. I have had moments where my hands have shaken so badly that I have caused a mess while eating or holding a drink. I have had times when my handwriting has become illegible, as well as when typing, when I would make multiple mistakes due to accidental pressing of keys. While these issues are usually minor, they have nonetheless impacted my life, and I have had to work harder to make sure that I could produce the same quality and clarity of expression as others.
These physical limitations do not stop at just issues with eating, drinking, and other commonplace activities, but have also affected my job trajectory. Currently, I am pursuing a microbiology degree and have had to find ways to succeed despite ET causing issues when I need to make precise movements with my hands in a lab setting. While I have found ways to deal with this, it still limits what I can choose to pursue, others’ confidence in me, and my own mentality when it comes to certain issues. I know that this chronic condition will never go away, but maybe in the future, research could potentially conduct a study that will help to alleviate the symptoms.
With all of the frustration that essential tremor has caused me, it has also taught me a lot about myself. I can reevaluate situations and find ways not to let ET limit my work. I can adapt to multiple situations, and I empathize more with other people who have limitations. I find myself being more resilient and persevering through situations to accomplish my goals and complete projects.
Even though I have ET, and it could worsen in the future, I will not let it diminish my desire and commitment to succeed.
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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