Hey There

I got the nickname April May June when I was very young. I have kept it all this time and will often finish an email with April May. I'm from a teeny tiny town in central California. When you grow up in a town with a population of fewer than 5,000 people, you get the feeling that you’re living in a bubble. A bubble you can drive through, in a matter of minutes, with nothing to see but a school or two and a gas station. It is the kind of town where tractors drive up and down the main streets on a daily basis. Being one of the only kids in my town in a wheelchair was an everyday struggle. I was put into an electric wheelchair at the age of three. Most people would’ve given up but I’ve never let it hold me back! 

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High school changed me; I quickly found out that the teachers weren’t constantly on you to get you to do your work, a lot like college. Even though high school was hard, I overcame it. I graduated high school in 2009 and in the top 8 cumulative GPAs. I had a 4.25. One of my favorite memories from high school was being able to join the graphic arts team. This was my passion. 

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Being in a wheelchair and not having control over my arms and legs limits my career choices to almost nothing. The things that I really excel at are using the computer and math. When I started applying to colleges my senior year, I was afraid of going too far away so I applied locally and ended up getting in. It was great because I knew that they had a graphic arts program. After a few years, I caught the dreaded “senior-itis.” I needed to find my passion again, quickly. I took a year off of art classes by taking random classes. I was pleasantly surprised when I fell in love with accounting. I not only was good at accounting, but accounting helped spark the light in me again. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration of accounting in 2016. I continued my education by moving down south and attending CSU Long Beach. I graduated with my Masters in Accounting. 

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Having to rely on other people for assistance with nearly everything obviously takes more time to do daily tasks. I can move my arms up and down, but that is pretty much it. My legs are about the same. I can move them and stand but I can’t stand up on my own and I can only stand a very short time. One of the only body parts that I’ve got full control over is my head and neck. I drive my wheelchair with a head control and that’s the way it’s always been. One of my other constant struggles is my speech. It’s clearer than some but still a little hard to understand me. Because I’m so limited I have to be very vocal about my wants and needs. If I’m excited or trying to rush through something, my speech tends to get slurred and jumbled up. The best way I can ensure that everyone understands me is just to talk at a normal pace and pronounce each word to the best of my abilities. 

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Despite what many would feel are insurmountable obstacles I am a very happy, outgoing, driven individual. I surround myself with people who understand my unique limitations and are there to support me as needed. During my free time, I enjoy taking sporadic and spontaneous trips around California, reading, watching football, sunbathing at the beach, and riding four-wheelers and ATVs at Pismo Beach. I also still have a passion for art and graphic arts. 

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I have always liked to add a little sunshine when meeting someone new with a bright smile. Since this is online, I've attached a picture of myself. Talk to you soon :)