Each semester, the International Essential Tremor Foundation presents four college scholarships to students with essential tremor. The scholarships represent hope for the future, and provide support to these students during a pivotal time in their lives. As part of the scholarship application process, each applicant is asked to write an essay that answers the question, “How has essential tremor affected my life?” The following essay is from one of our spring 2018 scholarship recipients.
By Kelley Cordeiro
Doctoral Student at Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
How has essential tremor affected my life? I could answer this question by describing the challenges it creates trying to control my trembling hands with even the smallest tasks, like threading a needle, counting out change, applying makeup, typing, or measuring ingredients, just to name a few. I could talk about how much I notice my tremor at the end of a long day, when I try to unwind by reading a book or watching television, but I have to concentrate on trying to keep my head still. This becomes even more difficult when my head trembles on my pillow at night, making relaxation and sleep a conscious effort, and often an elusive goal.
I might answer that having ET has caused me to answer questions for my children about why I am shaking, why grandma shakes too, or the most difficult question, “will I shake like that when I grow up?”
There are so many possible ways to answer the question of how ET has affected my life. My favorite answer is that is has NOT affected my life. I am the mother of three wonderful children. I chose a mid-life career change to afford me the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom, but also involved returning to school at an advanced age. I completed my master’s degree in a new field with a 4.0 GPA. I am now pursuing my doctorate degree in the field of education, with the goal of being an agent of change in diverse learning communities.
I take on extra teaching opportunities to help cover the costs of my tuition, which increases my stress level, which increases my tremor, but which is not an excuse I am willing to let stand in my way, or prevent me from achieving my goals.
Will my children develop a tremor as they grow up? What is the best way to answer this question for my children? Research indicates that there is a strong chance that they may develop this familial condition. So, when I respond to my children I want to give them an honest answer, supported by the evidence of my example: Yes, you may develop essential tremor, but it doesn’t have to affect your life!
I want to thank the IETF for the opportunity to be considered for a scholarship, which can help me achieve my educational goals. I would like to say that ET has not affected my life, but the IETF has!
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The deadline for fall 2018 scholarship applications is May 1, 2018. Application information is available on the IETF website. Interested in supporting students with ET during their educational journey? You can donate online.