Bladder Exstrophy Character Analysis

I have Bladder Exstrophy, a rare birth defect resulting in fourteen surgeries to make my life as “normal” as possible. To manage my condition, it requires different techniques to empty my bladder and prevent serious infections. Catheterization is vital for me to survive Even though I catheterize every two hours, I’m still incontinent and get infections. It is also necessary for me to purchase my own incontinence supplies. I have worn a combination of diapers, pull-ups, goodnights and poise pads since I was five years old.

My mother struggles with both Crohn’s Disease and Fibromyalgia, my youngest brother has severe Asthma and my other brother has ADHD. Therefore, this makes my life difficult because if all four of us are having problems, it’s very challenging for my dad to take care of us. We all require medicine and medical supplies that exceed our insurance coverage. Hence, our family has had to learn to be patient with one another and this hasn’t always been easy. From having Bladder Exstrophy, I’ve learned to recognize the need to be kind to everyone, because you never know what might go on behind the scenes in their lives.
Service is a passion of mine and I love to volunteer in my community through various service clubs, and scholarship pageants. At church, I've been the President of my Youth Group and a Volunteer Assistant Counselor and Staff Assistant for two years at our church girls’ summer camp. For nine years, I've been a Girl Scout and completed service projects that allowed me to earn my Bronze and Silver Awards. Now, I am working on my Gold Project, putting together a pamphlet with information about our support group campout and other resources for the Exstrophy community, which I plan to distribute