Personal Statement

Frankie, can you tell me what we read in the beginning of todays session?
the
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) asked my brother. After being hit by a car while
skateboarding, he was rushed to the hospital with a closed head traumatic brain injury,
and was put into a medically induced coma. Weeks after he woke up from the coma, my
brother struggled to answer this simple question. With his favorite car magazine rolled up
between his hands, he could not recall major details of the article he and the SLP
reviewed earlier that morning. His frustration grew with every additional cue that the SLP
provided until his eyes filled with tears and he gasped, I dont know, I just dont know.
Okay? As I held his hand, I witnessed the constant collaboration between therapists and
the tireless work it took to help my brother regain his skills. The accident occurred in
Florida in April of 2008. My Dad took a leave of absence from his job in New Jersey and
temporarily moved to help my brother recover. Once the school year ended, I spent the
entire summer observing his rehabilitation progress one day at a time. I accompanied him
to every single therapy session, admiring the SLPs technique and dedication. Witnessing
his recovery was not an easy process, but it was transformative and eye opening. I was
present when he was able to expressively respond to basic questions again and when he
began to walk on his own for the first time. I watched how his is personality started to
shine through when we celebrated his 21st birthday in the inpatient rehabilitation center.
Each time Frankie overcame an obstacle, the therapists were there with constant support
and encouragement. These memories will stay with me for a lifetime.
The intensive therapies Frankie endured as a result of his traumatic brain injury is
what opened my eyes to this profession, but it has been my experiences helping others
that have truly showed me that a career in speech-language pathology is where I belong. I
have always been a people person, which was solidified by my experience as a New
Student Orientation Leader at the University of Delaware. For an entire summer, I spent
my time fostering relationships between new students and interacting with parents to
alleviate their anxiety and answer any questions. I was given the rare opportunity to work
with people who came from different backgrounds, had different opinions, and diverse
views, which are all aspects I will encounter as a speech-language pathologist. As a staff,
we challenged each other intellectually, culturally, and socially because no two people
were the same, just like no two clients will be the same. New Student Orientation taught
me that working in an environment where I have the pleasure to help others is not only
something I am passionate about, but also is something I excel at.
As an undergraduate, I have involved myself in various extracurricular activities
that have reaffirmed my desire to be in a field that is centered around helping others. As
Vice President of Membership Education for my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, I am
responsible for educating the new member class of eighty-six young women on our
philosophies and for easing their transition into the sorority. I am a peer mentor for the
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association where I offer advice to younger
students in the Cognitive Science major throughout the semester to support their future
success. As a research assistant in the Pediatric Mobility Lab, I decoded recorded videos
developed in the lab of children who have mobility difficulties. This experience gave me
the opportunity to gain familiarity within emerging sectors of rehabilitation. I had the
privilege to volunteer and work in an Extended School Year program. I volunteered as a
paraprofessional in a classroom with children ages 4-5 with Autism Spectrum Disorder
and worked in a classroom of children entering the 5th grade who had a range of learning
and/or developmental disabilities. The preschool classroom humbled me because it was

challenging in every way, but was also a major learning process. I was able to put my
passion for helping children with disabilities to the test. Having the pleasure to work and
learn from them convinced me that when I become a certified clinician, I wish to work
with populations similar to theirs because they inspired me everyday. Witnessing the
milestones they achieved, the smiles on their faces, and connecting with them made each
and every day worth coming back.
My achievements, both academic and extracurricular, exhibit my determination,
motivation, and capability of achieving my goals. Although I discovered my passion at
young age in a time of crisis, I have been working hard ever since to achieve my dream.
I have observed in diverse professional settings to get a sense of what being a speechlanguage pathologist entails. From this experience, I have had the unique opportunity to
put myself in the shoes of family member of someone who has a communication
disorder, and what I have learned is that the clients support system is an integral part of
the recovery process. I understand how important that is because Frankie would not be
healthy and independent if it wasnt for the unconditional support my family and his
therapists provided him. My hope for graduate study is to be immersed in a variety of
different clinical environments where I can gain exposure to both children and adults.
After this time, I hope to confirm my decision to work with children in diverse clinical
settings. With my passion, experience and desire to help others, I am committed to
establishing a positive rapport and support system for all of my prospective clients that
my brother was fortunate enough to have.

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What experiences led the author to pursue a career in speech-language pathology?

What volunteer activities has the author participated in to gain experience in the field?

Frankie, can you tell me what we read in the beginning of todays session?

and/or developmental disabilities. The preschool classroom humbled me because it was

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