Embracing Challenges: Turning Adversity into Opportunity
A Career Derailed, A New Path Discovered
Life’s unexpected turns often lead us down unplanned paths. For me, a promising career, with a backup in cybersecurity, was abruptly derailed following a severe injury when my headrest randomly exploded. Despite being diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, Cognitive Speech Deficit, PTSD, and undergoing a 3-level neck fusion, on my daunting road to recovery, I found resilience not just to cope but to thrive.
Finding Purpose Through AI
With a background previous to the headrest explosion marked by a 98.8 GPA in cybersecurity, my journey took an unforeseen detour into the world of artificial intelligence. The shift was driven not by choice but by necessity. As I navigated the complexities of medical recovery and legal challenges as a pro per (non-attorney) seeking as much justice as I could afford, AI became more than just a field of study—it became my lifeline. It offered me tools not only to manage my day-to-day challenges but also to re-forge an idle path as an advocate for others facing similar trials.
Pursuing Knowledge to Advocate for Justice
I've obtained Vanderbilt University's AI Prompt Engineering for Law Specialization Certification and am progressing through IBM's 16-course Generative AI Specialist Certification program. These challenges have set me on a path to transition off Social Security Disability. With support from my state's Vocational Rehabilitation Program, I hope to begin paralegal certification coursework at the University of Arizona soon. These skills have facilitated my TBI recovery and will be the cornerstone of my advocacy, enabling me to support others and bridge the justice gap in a system biased against non-attorney litigants.
Looking Ahead: Innovation and Advocacy
I am eager to resume my cybersecurity accreditation and secure a remote position that accommodates my medical condition. This will enable me to afford treatments beyond Medicare's coverage and collaborate with AI medical research to find a cure for congenital spinal stenosis. My mission remains steadfast: to create solutions that assist those around me. Whether developing AI tools for individuals with similar disabilities or ensuring safer digital environments, my career aspirations are a commitment to turning life’s lemons into lemonade.
