I used to be a college basketball player with dreams of playing professionally overseas. However, I blew my knee out my freshman year, which effectively ended my basketball career. I became depressed, lost my scholarship, and ultimately lost my will to live. For about 2-3 years I was very depressed, homeless for a time, and altogether lost. Then I got a job opportunity to work in a SpEd class as an aide and I went for it. I quickly fell in love with it and it changed every aspect of my life.

I once taught a sweet, intellectually disabled young man who was nonverbal but communicated well through typing and had great potential for independence. Yet, his poor hygiene held him back. Living with his dad, who was unsure how to help, I sent home a morning hygiene checklist and encouraged consistent use with positive reinforcement. After 3 months, he came to school clean and it finally stuck! 2 years later, he got a job and rode the city bus to work! My first big breakthrough with a student

Honestly, over the course of finding a stable landing spot as a teacher (which I finally have now), I've accrued some personal debt that I really need to get out of. Aside from that, my brother started a business doing home improvement renovation and interior design. However, he has been saving up for a truck and cannot quite afford one now. So, I would probably give the rest to my brother so that he can buy a good work truck to get his business started.