To the first annual recipient…

To the first annual recipient of the Kimberly R. Barchard award…

Thank you.

You have no idea how much this means to me.

I read the letter you wrote to me often.

Telling me why you thought you were the right person to receive this award.

Telling me that you took the time to do research and figure out who I am.

It’s because of people like you…

Going through life feeling like I was average and never making an impact on others, but always wanting to, came to a screeching halt when I was fighting for my life.

My nurses and doctors became my best friends and family.

They became the ones I relied on not just to make me better, but to rub my head when I was having a panic attack, help me call my family when I couldn’t hold a phone, change me, brush my hair, and everything in between.

Without these people, I would be nothing.

I wouldn’t even be here without the help of all of them along with my determination and resilience to want to survive.

So to you, Olivia, (and to all the others who applied), keep being the best you that you can be and I promise it will be enough to change someone's life someday.

Xo ✨