Olivia Sinclaire Seker

Early on in my life I recognized my passion for helping others and promoting inclusion. This stemmed from having a brother with cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism and a vocal tic disorder, who had to work harder to achieve what others can do with ease. Through extensive therapy my brother has been able to overcome many physical obstacles and perform at an outstanding level of academics. It is incredible to witness the plasticity of the brain and the life-changing effects of rehabilitation through therapies, as I see my brother broaden his capabilities and unlock new freedoms. This has fostered in me a fascination for the brain and a possible academic and research pursuit.

Throughout this process, however, my brother has often felt ostracized as his ever present physical and social challenges prevent him from being part of social circles that include able-bodied teens. That is why in 2018 I wrote the article for Scholastic Action Magazine, published in January of 2019, "My Brother, My Hero." Within the article I detailed Evan's struggles, but also drew comparisons from neuro-typical and able-bodied teens' experiences to those of special needs to highlight similarities rather than just differences and promote inclusion.

Another experience that helped foster my interest in neurology was my grandfather who rapidly declined and ultimately passed away from Alzheimer's Disease in 2018. In direct contrast to my brother in whom I saw progress, I saw my grandfather decline every day. So, I am interested in finding more rehabilitative interventions and preventions for Alzheimer's Disease.

Through my own struggles with my health, I have also fostered an interest in neurology. I have an auto-immune condition, cutaneous mastocytosis, that, when exposed to a trigger (can range from food to detergents), causes the mast cells to degranulate and form a histamine response. One symptom I experience that results from my autoimmune condition is joint and muscle pain. Thus, I am interested in pain management and how the brain functions with different auto -mmune and auto-inflammatory conditions.

With these passions and my background as receptionist and co-teacher at my local church, varsity swim team member, National Honor Society Recording Secretary, and as an AP and honors student, I hope to broaden my experience in sciences and the health care field and to help others.