Michelle Eriksson
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology — Clinical Psychology
Capella University
Have you ever dreamed of what you would do if you won the lottery? If you have, then you will understand what it would mean for me to be chosen to receive a full online scholarship. Most people when they dream of what to do with their new found millions may think about quitting their jobs, buying a lavish new home, a new fancy car or even vacationing in Europe with no expense spared. Believe it or not, the first thing I think of using the money for is to finance my doctoral degree.
Obtaining my doctorate is important to me because it is the only natural remedy for staying in touch with what is new and exciting in clinical/educational psychology. I would earn it while engaging in research, investigating innovative theories and developing a hypothesis for my dissertation that would potentially be used by school districts nationwide in assessing the learning needs of those students on the Autism spectrum.
Being in education is a privilege and also a responsibility. If we want our youth to see the value of lifelong learning, we need to engage in it ourselves. I can't put into words how important it is for me to have this opportunity without the financial burden to get this degree. Think of all the kids I could help!!! Without this scholarship, I will not be able to afford it. I would be okay with that though because my time and funds go to support the hopes, dreams and aspirations of my sixteen-year-old son. He was diagnosed with high functioning Autism/Aspergers before anyone had any clue what Autism Spectrum Disorders were.
I can show I am the type of online learner who will not quit or be deterred in my pursuit of obtaining my doctorate. I know this because I have already shown I can and did finish my master's degree despite the unexpected and tragic death of my first child to SIDS in the winter of 1989. In the spring of 1991, I graduated with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. I then learned I was pregnant with my second child and had planned to spend the next few years attending to his care. I soon learned that this miraculous son I was so blessed to have was not like the other babies. He was completely different than my first child in both temperament and personality. To make a long story short, my son Josh was to have a Pervasive Development Disorder now known as High Functioning Autism (HFA)/Aspergers (ASD).
From May 1, 1991 until the present, my life has been devoted to my son's physical, social, and educational development. With the death of our first child and the chronic social and emotional struggles with our second child, my marriage of sixteen years did not survive. I have spent the last fifteen years investigating and researching how to best help him. What drove everything I did for him was my belief that his education was paramount. I was told he would never be in a regular educational classroom, but his scores showed he was above average intelligence.
He did not have behavioral problems whatsoever in or out of the classroom, but he was not popular either; he simply saw the world from a different vantage point. I taught him that different does not mean bad. Every school year from first grade on would hold its own difficulties and hurdles to overcome. Every night and every weekend to this day, I spend at least two hours a night working with him on his academics to ensure I know what he needs to do. I would help him learn to organize his work in a way that worked for him. We would go over each and every assignment to make sure he understood the requirements of the assignment and how to navigate through the language road blocks. Some information he would retain, but most of what he learned he had to relearn and relearn. I would quiz him, do math for hours and read out loud to him daily just so he could keep up. At the same time, I fought the educational bullies of the schools he attended.
Josh had some wonderful teachers who were willing to work with him and he thrived in those classes. Then there were the responsibility teachers as I affectionately refer to them. Teachers who did not understand what HFA was, let alone how to facilitate a positive effective learning environment. I usually am on a first name basis with the superintendents by the end of his stint in their respective districts. That is how important education is to me.
I have not had a vacation in over five years. If I am not working with him on his academic/social development, I am working to help those in the educational field understand what simple adjustments ASD kids need to be fully integrated students within the classroom.
I am happy to share with you that my son Josh is now sixteen and a junior in high school. He has always been in a regular educational classroom. He does have minor accommodations for academic areas that are typical for HFA students, but he maintains a 2.69/3.00 average. Josh has far exceeded any of the negative long range outcomes predicted early on, but that does not change the fact that he has autism and is limited in various ways. Most of all, Josh believes in himself and knows he has strengths/weaknesses like all other kids.
His strength of character, having endured so much adversity, is evident when he is confronted with the social pressures of being a young teenage male. He is in some ways quite naïve with challenges in some of his basic skills, while simultaneously very wise and intuitive in other ways. He does tend to be the target of bullies, but he responds with an astonishing sense of logic that would rival those who do not have HFA.
Current research now shows that early intervention is the key for a positive long term outlook. That is what they say now. Back fifteen years ago, with very little information about HFA, parents were left to wade through what limited information was available. There are no words to express how exhausting and, at times, hopeless it felt to spend so much time, effort and financial resources on the hope that all those efforts would lead to a positive resolve for Josh ten years down the road. This is especially true when the experts were not so encouraging and/or really did not possess much knowledge. It was pure faith and a strong belief that if he could get the education he needed, he would have a chance at a future.
Anyone who knows me will attest to my desire to get my doctorate. I even applied and was accepted to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Walden University back in 1997, but I could not afford it after all was said and done. It was either my sons needs or the doctorate. I could not afford to do both. I do not mean to sound like a martyr by any means either. Its just the way it was.
When I learned of the Project Working Mom, I was elated with hope and excitement. I read everything I could about it to make sure I was reading it correctly. I thought to myself, "Oh my gosh, if I could get this scholarship, I could do it." I could fit the studying in with my other work and home responsibilities. It would be a win/win for all. This scholarship in essence would be like winning the lottery. Due to my work schedule and home responsibilities, obtaining my doctorate online would enable me to complete courses online while still being physically present in the home.
As a school counselor, I spend my days advocating and encouraging all my students to go for their dreams, despite whatever obstacles they face. I encourage them to not give up, but find an avenue with a sustained belief in themselves. I would use this scholarship to further my knowledge and education, in addition to researching ways to enhance the educational lives of all students with a special focus on those who suffer from neuropsychological disorders.
Finally, I believe learning and education are defined by the strength of character it takes to see what was and what can be. By opening our minds in new ways, we can discover new avenues for exploration, while marveling at those educational discoveries that form the foundational basis for all we know. Yet none of it could have happened if education was reserved solely for the wealthy or connected. For those in history who had some of the greatest discoveries did not possess the heaviest wallets; but rather the biggest dreams for a better tomorrow.
Thank you for your consideration.
Michelle Eriksson