Meet Michelle

Meet Michelle, a professional surfer pursuing nano engineering

I am ever so thankful for the grant you have provided me to continue my education at U.C. San Diego. After sustaining two traumatic brain injuries from my professional sport of surfing only 3 months apart, I have been unable to complete my last year in the Jacobs School of Engineering in order to graduate. 

So much time and money went into Concussion Clinics, scanning my brain, Sports Health appointments, physical and speech therapy, on top of being forced to withdraw from 2 consecutive quarters in university. Now being 3 months into recovery after my last concussion, I have followed all doctors orders, persisted in my therapies, practiced alternative food-medicine and meditation techniques and am feeling almost back to my normal self. 

At this time due to the nature of my major, I am unable to “catch up” this year in order to graduate with my class. I intend to use this grant to support myself living near campus for an immersion summer school session for a strong step into the next school year when I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nano Engineering. I appreciate your support and am truly grateful for your help. 

This gives a lot of hope to the students like me who’s unexpected traumas have turned their life upside-down and just need a bit of help getting back on their feet.