I am a grade twelve student who has been accepted into the psychiatric nursing program at MacEwan University. My future plan is to get my degree as an RPN and then travel down to a third world country and serve as a missionary. My heart is for serving and throughout my long years in junior high and high school, I have felt that I am needed in places around the world where at-risk children and youth are not acknowledged. An education in Psychiatric nursing will help me do just that. Since I was little, mental health has been a strong interest of mine. My dad being a mental health nurse triggered my interest in at-risk youth--to assist them in staying away from getting into trouble or being arrested... why not right?

There are numerous aspects of my life that have impacted my life and shaped who I am today. 1st, my family. I grew up my mother and father and three other siblings: 2 old (brother and sister) and 1 younger. My family has been supportive through all of my years and because of them, I have had the much-needed encouragement, support, and love that a youth needs throughout maturing.

About a year ago, my families mental health took a complete turn, where I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. The family dynamic that our relationship relied on became bumpy and the stress levels and outbursts that occurred increased. Stress upon stress. School became my second priority, my grades began to drop, I stopped showing up as I was 'too tired,' and my attitude completely changed--I was no longer a smiley and stubborn red head.

Thanks to the fantastic and selfless help of counselors, teachers, principals, friends, and family members, my life began to turn around. I began to wake up and actually get out of my bed. I actually went to school. I actually began to love myself for who I actually was. My psychiatrist gave me medications that helped to keep me calm. I no longer had panic attacks that felt like they lasted a lifetime. School was still a priority, but I made time in my schedule for social activities. I became me again.

After I became 'myself' again, I started to find a reason as to why I was here on this earth. I got involved in the community and fell in love with those who lived on the streets and mostly at risk youth. I love hearing the stories of their lives and hearing their advice as to how to not end up on the streets. I love seeing the joy in their eyes as I walk up to them delivering only a simple "hello." I love feeling their hands as their sweating nervous skin becomes comfortable as they realize that I am not dangerous. I love praying with these people--maybe giving them a glimpse of hope. The selfless character that many of the people that I have connected with on the streets is overwhelming--something I strive to have.

I got involved in my high school which offers three different mission trip classes: grade 10 (Los Angeles), grade 11 (Jamaica), grade 12 (Belize). Grade 10 was unique in the fact that our missions team spent eleven days on the streets of Skid Row, Los Angeles. Our team was able to grow in boldness and character by connecting with one of the most concentrated homeless communities in North America. Organizing lunches, door to door outreaches, kids ministry, food bank distributions, and at risk men who have been arrested for numerous accounts of drugs, alcohol, violence, etc changed my perspective on life. Grade 11 was one of my favorite as our team connected with a church in Jamaica where we did mainly kids and youth ministry. We connected with many of the locals, feed thousands of low income families, started a thrift store, and repaired a house for a man who was unemployed because of his deafness. Grade 12 was incredible as I feel I grew drastically in character. Our main ministry was school assemblies. We did eighteen different schools around Belize and built a large greenhouse to assist the church whose greenhouse and main source of income had been hit by Hurricane earl. All of these trips with my school showed me that my future in missions is not over. I fell in love with the people and the volunteer work!

Along with my mental health, I was also diagnosed with arthritis in both the left and right ears. I am a hard of hearing high school student which has drastically impact ed that way I learn, the way I talk, and how outspoken I am. For many of my years in school I have been pushed by my parents to advocate for myself: ask questions, push for more modern technology, and ask for advanced notes. My life as a hard of hearing student has not always been easy, but I have been able to become a girl who isn't afraid to ask questions, ask for repetition, and speak up--which is the most important aspect of who I am.

So, thesept are some brief points of who I am. I have definitely struggled and continue to struggle, but all in all, I have learnt an abundance of important things and will continue to learn so much more as I get more involved in the community volunteerism.

Essay: Phonak Roger Pen

The Phonak Roger Pen is a fairly new technological device that provides superior speech-in-noise and over distance performance. Roger Pen is a small 'stick' looking device that acts similar to a personal FM system that assists those who wear hearing aids. The pen has a speaker that collects noise and sends it right to the connected hearing aids without others around hearing the amplified noises. The device allows for teachers or parents to wear it around their necks or, in group settings, the Roger Pen may be placed on a table and will pick up and amplify the voices of all group members. The perfect wireless transmission and blue tooth capability allows for easier calls, more engaging school settings, and less misunderstanding in homes!

I personally use this device around my work, around my house, and in school. The device is small, easily chargeable, long battery life, and easy to use which helps to decrease that amount of confusion when I meet new teachers! This device has drastically changed my learning. I no longer have to ask for repetitions as the voice of the teacher is amplified to the noise levels my hearing aids are, I no longer struggle with groups as the Roger Pen amplifies all voices when it is place horizontal. I am able to answer phone calls without blasting my phone speakers, I am able to hear whispers from my teachers :P and home life has changed as I no longer retaliate as I get angry from misunderstanding my siblings, etc. I can no write notes and look away from my teacher as I don't need to read their lips. I can now sit as the back of my classes as the Roger Pen evenly distributes the sound anywhere in the room and many meters outside of the classroom!

This device will be beneficial to all students who are hard of hearing or deaf as the clear and concise sound of the voices being delivered straight to their hearing aids will allow for better group discussions, better communication at home, better understandings of instructions at work, and note taking. The Roger Pen is hands free, easy to use, and perfect for all ages who use hearing aids!