Adelynne deLeon

Back in 2014, I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. After my diagnosis, I was admitted to multiple hospitals on several different occasions. What followed were some of the most painful and traumatic experiences of my life. Coping with mental illnesses as harsh and debilitating as mine can be extremely frustrating. Most of the time, I felt weak, unworthy, and hopeless. While going through the most challenging time of my life, I couldn't help but ask why. Why was I suffering while everyone else excelled? Why did I have to struggle and feel incapable of succeeding in my academics? Why did I have to be broken? I never got an answer to those questions, and I probably never will. I know my brain is impaired and doesn't function at full capacity, and I am not like everyone else, but that won't stop me from succeeding. There are times I want to give up, but I push through. During my final hospitalization, I had a revelation. I wanted to get better. I didn't want to struggle like I had, and I didn't want to feel like I was drowning. I wanted to prove to myself that I was able to succeed. I started to put time and effort into caring for my mental health. I began opening up about my personal life in therapy, which started me on my journey of self-healing. I ended up being discharged from the hospital and understood I wasn't ready to attend a four-year college. But this wasn't the end of the world for me. I will always have my disability, but it will no longer stop me from getting the education I want. While still in high school, I had a steady increase in my academic success, which allowed me to graduate a year early. I began the next step in my journey by enrolling in classes at Las Positas Community College, where I continually raised my performance and grow academically. After attending Las Positas for three years, I was admitted into the University of California, Merced. Where I plan to graduate with a B.S in Chemical Sciences and Minor in Psychology. After graduation, I have hopes of attending Graduate School and earning a Ph.D. in Forensic Science.