One Handed 17 Year Old Seeks Government Grant For University Education

by Anthony Cooper
(Point Roberts, WA, USA)

My name is Anthony Cooper (male) and I live in a small town in Washington called Point Roberts.

I am 17 years old and have a younger brother who is 16 years old and an older sister who is 20 years old. I have a stepfather and my biological mother as parents.

I have always been the center of attention, yep me, Anthony Scott Cooper. Not because I've wanted to be, but because I was born different.

I was born with one hand.

Chosen to be special and unique to the rest of the world, I've learned lessons about life and respect towards others that many other seventeen year olds don't learn until they're experienced adults.

Many a time I've suffered numerous moments where I feel ashamed about myself, ashamed that I wasn't in sync with the rest of the world.

But, through much trial and hardship, I've managed, and became a survivor. One who's had to survive amongst the world, relying on not just myself, but others too.

All this helped me blossom as a person, one who thanks to education has been able to push through these limitations.

Being positive and strong hasn't always been my philosophy in life; going through my younger years of school has been an emotional rollercoaster.

Constantly my fragile being was questioned. I was looked weirdly upon and I never knew why. I developed shame and hated myself for it.

My mother tried so hard to break the grasp of social ideology that I had formed. I wished and wanted to be someone who could fit in, even if that meant embarrassing me for it.

A distant memory that I have was in kindergarten. The kids didn't particularly want to play with me because my self-esteem was low.

For a long time I was alone, not accepted by anyone but my mom, the woman who taught me to tie my shoes and told me that she will always love me.

Still, it wasn't enough; I wanted to be a person who others would like and love to be around, a positive role model.

Sometimes when I'm at the store or out in a public place, I get that familiar quench in my stomach that someone's looking and judging me.

Most times it's just little kids wondering why I'm different that's when I sink into that familiar habit where I allow shame to control me.

About four years ago, I made a pact that I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself. That meant joining track and field and cross-country to overcome my fear of social anxiety.

Now in my last year of high school, I can successfully say that it's worked. I've made great friends and developed a sense of self-value.

I've had a variety of jobs including working at the local post office cutting down boxes, landscaping, babysitting and washing dishes at the local restaurant.

This has helped develop my great work ethic and time management.

School is great; I've maintained a cumulative of 3.5 GPA through high school, with five different AP courses overall; life's been sunny.

I've discovered that I have a passion for drawing and people. On my spare time I mow lawns and work for people who need help with generally anything.

I've never allowed myself to feel "handicapped" in any way. Though it might take a bit of practice, I can do anything a two-handed person can do.

I have a positive attitude and encourage it from others. Becoming a child or adolescent psychologist one day is a dream I have.

Helping the younger generation overcome their fears and anxieties would be a blessing for me.

Insisting on a positive atmosphere where they can develop the power of positive thinking, I believe that they can fight through life's many challenges, and that they can feel a true sense of worth and value.

No matter where they go, or the choices that they make, they can still be happy and a positive role model for other people.

My family has always been lower middle class. We have everything that we need but nothing else.

I personally haven't had too many difficulties related to me having one hand, only because I have been able to adapt to my environment.

But, coming back to my parents' income I've been accepted to Western Washington University this fall and need financial aid helping me continue my education.

Sadly, I have to fend for myself for all the money because my parents just cannot afford lending me money towards my education (not much anyways).

During high school, my other two siblings and I were on free and reduced lunch. I have roughly one third of my college for this year paid for through scholarships, but that's all.

When I first started to apply for jobs my potential employers were skeptical. Through recommendations and struggles people have reluctantly allowed me to work for them.

Looking back, I can successfully state that one hundred percent of my employers are happy that I work for them, but it took a while to build a sturdy job background.

I have my own landscaping business here in Point Roberts, where I work in people's yards. I also work at a restaurant called Brewsters where I'm the cashier.

I have been working all the while finishing my high school education (with honors).

Fortunately, I have gained about $7,000 dollars through scholarships and financial aid to continue my education and has roughly $2,400 dollars saved up.

I personally have gone through much as a person and grown as an individual to help others and would love to help others without having my future hindered by money.