[brodystevens]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my experience with FIRST and tell how it has had an impact on my life. I was wondering if anyone else wanted to share their story of how FIRST has impacted them as well?

First off, I have hip problems and have had multiple hip surgeries in the past 4 years which now limits my physical activity. I was never really a “sports person” so not being able to play sports hasn’t bothered me too much. What did bother me was that I wasn’t able to do anything else which allowed me to interact with other people and have fun. At one point I couldn’t even enjoy hanging out with friends at the mall or things like that because of the chronic pain I was dealing with. Well that all changed when I found out about FIRST. After being home schooled for a few years, I joined team 2080 Torbotics my freshman year of high school. I was very skeptical about whether or not I would actually be able to participate and do things like everybody else though.

I’m very glad I joined my team because I was proven wrong. Through the program that FIRST has created I was finally able to feel part of something and I was able to do things again. I may have limitations on walking long distances and other physical activities, but with FIRST I finally found my place. I have been able to help build the robots, work with business stuff, be a part of the Chairman’s group this year, and so much more. Most importantly though, I’ve been able to have fun again and I have learned skills that will help me for the rest of my life. I honestly cannot begin to put into words how thankful I am to everyone who makes FIRST possible.

Before I joined FIRST I felt like I didn’t have a place in the world and thought I didn’t have a future because I had a physical disability that limited my ability to do things. Through FIRST I’ve learned that there is a world full of opportunities, for everyone! It has allowed me to explore different career choices that I never even knew existed. Although I don’t plan to become an engineer, with the help of FIRST I’ve learned just how important it is to give back, and I’ve decided to become a doctor to help kids with special needs. I want to be able to let every person know that they aren’t left out just because of certain things you aren’t able to do. FIRST will always have a spot for you to be a part of something and it inspires you to do great things with your life. So I just want to give a big thanks to all the people who have dedicated countless hours in order to make FIRST possible because it has changed my life in many great ways.