How Has Having Essential Tremor Affected My Life? (Scholarship Essay)
Essential tremor (ET) disorder has always been a part of my life. Other people noticed it before I did. It started with other kids making fun of my handwriting in class. At band practice, my team asked if I was going to faint from the exercises. I used to say, “this is just who I am,” before I received my official diagnosis on April 30, 2025. Now I explain to people that I have essential tremor disorder, which makes it harder for me to hold still.
Growing up, I learned to cope with my condition through breathing techniques to calm my nerves and maintaining my sugar levels to ease the shakiness. With each new phase of my life comes new obstacles to overcome with my condition. My latest feat is my freshman year of college.
As I graduated from high school, I knew a lot was going to change as I moved 300 miles away from home to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health science at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. I had to learn Orlando’s traffic patterns, dorm life, enrollment, and how to socialize outside of the classroom. I invested my free time in exploring health clubs. I knew I wanted to attend medical training and outreach events to build my clinical skills and network among peers, however my essential tremor inhibited my precision in training and self-confidence while talking. I started using medication to calm my essential tremor in my hands along with relaxing my muscles and shifting concentration when I feel strain, so I could successfully complete workshops and network.
I eventually found my calling within Omega Leos, a service-based organization under the supervision of Lions International. I joined during their first year at UCF, so I watched as their service projects grew. I joined their outreach directorship to promote the club to other health students. I used medication to calm my essential tremor disorder while talking with other students at tabling events or presenting in classrooms or during club collaborations. I was one of the first members to become certified to join the glycemic team, which uses blood-glucose readers to screen for diabetes in homeless populations. I took medication in addition to explaining my condition to each patient to gain their trust, as I surveyed, handled medical equipment, and interpreted their results. At the end of the school year party, I received the Premier Service Award for the most volunteer hours and dedicated service.
Living with ET has made college as physically challenging as it is academically. While I strive for straight As, I have to medicate and use physical strategies to adapt to stressors so I can perform outside of the classroom.
ET has taught me that everyone lives every day differently, and every day is a new day to show resilience. Having ET while being recognized by the Premier Service Award made it an even greater accomplishment and moment of pride to not only serve my community, but also to represent someone with ET making an impact.
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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.