I founded Lowcountry Academic Consulting because I know what it feels like to feel overwhelmed and defeated in school. I recognize every student’s experiences are different and often in life’s most challenging moments it feels like no one else understands. I may not yet know your story, but I do understand what you’re feeling, which is why I believe it’s important to share my story with you.

In high school, I was regarded by many as the All-American Girl who could do anything I wanted - I was a four-sport varsity athlete, a straight-A student, and involved in every club imaginable. I was so excited to go to college and create a life I would be proud of. Yet when I was 16 everything changed. I began having awful headaches and stomachaches that would come and go. For weeks I suffered, but was too stubborn to complain to anyone, even after losing my place on the volleyball team my Junior year. Finally one Friday, I couldn't bear it any longer and went to the school nurse. I was immediately taken to the doctor who believed he knew the cause of my symptoms and wanted me to start on antibiotics immediately. Still being stubborn, I suggested we wait to start treatment until the test results came back on Monday to confirm his suspicions. It was at that moment that I learned the true severity of my condition - without antibiotics, I would be dead before the results were back.

Thankfully, Dr. Rogers recognized the rare infection and I was able to receive the necessary treatment. However, my life has never been the same. Despite multiple rounds of antibiotics, I began developing other symptoms and never seemed to recover. Unfortunately, the infection had damaged my nervous system and compromised my immune system. Suddenly, I was failing all of my classes. Always striving to be an overachiever - in both good and bad ways - I also shattered a vertebra in my back cheerleading around this time. I took my SATs and ACTs on narcotic painkillers and spent the spring semester of my Senior year of High School in a hospital bed. Suddenly, I had to navigate learning to walk again, while trying to improve my grades when my brain was misfiring, and always being exhausted because my body was so weak. It was impossible to keep up with my friends and using a walker at 17 wasn't exactly what I wanted to post on social media, leaving few people aware of what was going on in my life. I was embarrassed and just wanted to pretend things hadn't changed. I had always defined myself by what I could do and suddenly I didn't have those abilities anymore. I remember feeling so lost but putting everything I had left in me into trying to get my grades back. When people heard that I was Valedictorian of my class my senior year, many told me "School must've been so easy for you!" It may have been the greatest compliment I could've received at the time for them to have believed that, but it felt like an insult to everything I had to overcome.

I began college in a back brace, having to experiment with different medications under my doctor's supervision, all while feeling ill all the time, but trying to become a normal college student. Classes were hard because my brain worked differently now. I had two rods and six screws in my back preventing me from ever playing college sports or even taking the stairs without causing days of unbearable pain. Yet that's not what the world saw. Instead, I was often told by other students that I was "so lucky to be able to live in an upperclassman dorm as a Freshman.” To so many, my accommodations were somehow a privilege to be jealous of, not a necessity for someone still at a great disadvantage. Meanwhile, plenty of other people who did know my situation vocalized how they thought I was destined to fail. One of my favorite quotes is that "attitude determines altitude" and I find myself living by that ideology daily.

I could've given up at any point...but I didn't. I instead, chose to prove wrong everyone who ever told me I couldn't do something and to ignore the ones who couldn't be bothered to try to understand. I taught myself to study differently, manage my time and energy levels, and put my health above all else. I completed college with honors - earning two degrees and two minors, then my master's. I studied abroad three times, became vice president of student government, joined a sorority, and became a student mentor and teaching assistant. Professionally, I’ve worked for the US Department of Defense, a US Senator, and as a teacher with Teach for America...all before officially launching LAC. Today, I’m married to my best friend and get to spend my days doing what I love for a career. Although I still have to manage my disabilities every day; I have conquered so many of the fears that once stood in my way and can say I’ve never been happier at any other point in my life.

My stubbornness almost cost me my life, but it also is the reason I've been able to overcome so much. Many people may be impressed by the degrees hanging on my wall, the jobs I've had, or the awards I've won, but those are not the achievements that truly matter to me. I take the most pride in choosing not to allow my disabilities to define me or my capabilities. I became stubborn about achieving my goals and flexible in the routes it took to accomplish them. It’s a choice I continue to make every day.

Thankfully, I found a lot of support from my family, friends, doctors, and teachers along my journey. However, I often went without help, because I didn't know what resources were available to me or where to turn when I was struggling most. Despite all the love around me, no one had been in my place before and it felt like they couldn’t understand. Back then, no one had any idea what was even still possible for me to achieve. I felt hopeless about my future, and so alone and lost during that time in my life. I never wanted anyone else to feel the way I did at 16, which is why I started Lowcountry Academic Consulting.

As our student, you're never alone. You will always be understood. You will always have someone you can trust to answer any questions you have. You will always have people who believe in you, even in the moments you may doubt yourself. We will always be here to help guide you no matter what stage in life you may be. We recognize your story is unlike anyone else's, which is why Lowcountry Academic Consulting is unlike anything else and we can't wait to be part of your journey!

Wishing You a Lifetime of Success,