It would be impossible to forget the look in his eyes. A mix of frustration, exhaustion and fear, the look of defeat. The child sat across from me, gripping a pencil that seemed a little too big. The paper in front of him was filled with scribbles. What should have seemed to be a simple task felt unfeasible.
In that moment, it would have been easy to focus on what he couldn’t do. Instead, a voice inside me couldn’t ignore it, there was so much more beneath the surface, waiting for the right kind of support to bring it out.
I started to ask myself, “What is standing in his way, and how can I remove it?”
With my clinician’s guidance, I slowed everything down by adjusting the environment, removing any apparent distractions. I paid attention to not just the physical challenge but the emotional weight behind it. Little by little, something began to change, there was a flicker of confidence where there was once a doubt.
His letters became more legible, his skills slowly improved, and he began to color more in between the lines. We met once a week, and with each visit, I watched him flourish.
Occupational Therapy isn’t about fixing people, it is about seeing them fully, meeting them where they are, and helping them discover what they are capable of. I am especially passionate about working with individuals who feel held back, whether by developmental challenges, chronic illness, or circumstances out of their control. I want to be someone who helps them rebuild, not just skills, but confidence. Someone who reminds them that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
I have become increasingly aware of how connection plays a critical role in overall well-being. As a member of the National Honor Society, I’ve had the opportunity for many service experiences. These experiences include The American Red Cross Blood Drive, Read Across America, NH Ends 68 Hours of Hunger, and volunteering at the Hundred Nights Homeless Shelter. Occupational therapy bridges the gap between health and everyday life, empowering people to reengage with their communities in meaningful ways.
In my own life, I strive to embody this approach by building relationships, offering support and creating environments where people feel seen and valued. Whether through volunteering, engaging in wellness focused activities like a short walk or trying something new, or simply showing up consistently for others, it’s all about forming meaningful human connections with the people around me.
Receiving the Hari Simran Foundation Scholarship would mean more than financial support, it would allow me to continue pursuing this path with intention and focus. Additionally, it would help me continue what first inspired me, showing up for people in moments when they feel most discouraged. Sometimes all it takes is one person willing to believe in you before you can begin to believe in yourself.
I strive to be that person.
The boy I worked with may never know the full impact he had on me, but his journey reshaped mine. He reminded me that progress is not only immediate, sometimes it’s quiet and deeply meaningful.