Moving Lives Forward Scholarship Recipients

2012 Moving Lives Forward Scholarship Recipients

Julie B.

Toronto, Ontario

Julie is from Toronto and is in her second year at the University of Toronto majoring in Aboriginal Studies, minoring in sociology as well as working towards a minor in Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health.

"I was ecstatic and relieved when I won the Moving Lives Forward scholarship due to all of the hard work I’ve done in my own recovery."

"I was relieved because I had been worried about how I was going to pay for school. Returning to school is challenging, not having to struggle financially to attain educational goals enables one to fully concentrate on school and recovery."

Catherine J.

Oakville, Ontario

Catherine is from Oakville and is studying for her BAA in Photography at Sheridan College.

"When I got the call that I was one this year's recipients I was so thrilled…..it's taken me a long time to start to believe in myself again and it was very affirming to know that someone else believed in me, too."

"Photography can be used for social change, it can alter perceptions of those who live with mental illness. Through the medium of photography I will begin telling my own story. Photography both calms and excites me and gives me a break from my sometimes overwhelming emotions."

"When you are on disability, as I am it is almost impossible to save money for tuition. It makes the goal of returning to school out of reach for many of us, so the scholarship funds are a huge help. I think one of the other challenges faced by people with mental illness is one of confidence. When you are out of work for a long time you start to doubt your abilities. The scholarship sends an affirming message – we believe you can do this."

"Thanks you so much for the gift of believing in me."

Yaviore L.

Toronto, Ontario

Yaviore is from Toronto and is studying Jewish studies with a concentration in history at the University of Toronto.

"I felt ecstatic. I have never received an award before this year. Up until now I didn't believe that I was capable of accomplishing as much as I had. It's a fantastic feeling."

"I plan on using the award for my studies (books, etc.). I also plan on placing it on my CV, which is great. I chose my area of study because I have become fascinated with the perseverance of my people despite all the persecution we've endured."

"I think it is wonderful to offer said scholarship if just to remind those with mental ailments that they can accomplish the same as others without accessibility issues. Most important, it gives people the recognition they so desire and, above all, deserve."

Leah S.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Leah is from Niagara Falls and is studying nursing at Georgian College.

"I was thrilled and relieved. I had been so stressed over how to pay for school and anxiety was getting to me. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I really felt proud of myself."

"I plan to use the scholarship to help pay for nursing school. I want to be a nurse because I love the medical field and love to help others. After being a patient at McMaster Children's Hospital on and off for the past five years. I know what it is like to be the patient. I can emphasize with them. I want to make my patients smile and make a difficult time in their lives a little easier."

"Getting this scholarship really boosted my self confidence. To me, it meant that someone (other than family and friends) saw potential in me. It also helps to know that even though it might take me a longer time to achieve my goals and I have to do things differently than other people. That's ok; people will support me and give me the opportunities to reach my goals."

Lindsay S.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Lindsay if from Thunder Bay and is enrolled in the Recreation and Leisure Studies program at the University of Waterloo

"I was shocked and very excited when I found out I had won this scholarship. I never win anything so it felt awesome to be acknowledged."

"I plan to use this scholarship award to pay for some of my books, tuition, and I'll use a portion of the scholarship towards buying a laptop for school. In second year, I plan to specialize in Therapeutic Recreation, with a minor in psychology. I chose this program because I really want to help others dealing with mood disorders, without compromising my own mental health in the process."

"I think this type of scholarship is important for people living with mood disorders because it elevates some of the stress that comes with financing a post-secondary education. It's a struggle to receive scholarships when you don't have the best grades, or aren't the most involved student, because it's hard to do so when you're dealing with things that you cannot control. Just knowing that someone else acknowledges these struggles and wants to help us achieve our goal of attaining a post-secondary education is very heart-warming."

Samantha P.

Toronto, Ontario

Samantha is from Toronto and is studying for her Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Secondary Initial Teacher Education Program at the University of Toronto.

"I was excited and felt accomplished, validated and relieved when I found out I had won the Moving Lives Forward award."

"I felt this way because financial stress related to my studies has been a constant stressor that has impacted my overall mental health and wellbeing as a student. This scholarship not only felt like a relief in terms of financial support but it also validated my lived experience as a student with mental health challenges and acknowledged both the barriers I have had to face and my resilience in moving through them."

"I plan to study to initially become a Family Studies and Dramatic Art Teacher at the Intermediate/ Secondary level, and eventually move toward becoming a High School Guidance Counselor. It is important for me to pursue my goal of becoming a Teacher and a Guidance Counselor in an effort to bring awareness to the mental health challenges young students face that often go unnoticed in high school settings. I hope to support students in navigating the high school experience with an awareness of mental health issues and empower them by highlighting their strengths in moving through them."

"This type of scholarship is important for those living with mood disorders because It normalizes, validates, and brings awareness to the lived experiences of students with mood disorders and allows others to see that it is possible to achieve academic success despite the barriers we face; it provides financial support to a group of people who may be economically disadvantaged due to their mental health challenge; and It acknowledges that students with mood disorders may be disadvantaged in traditional academic settings, but that navigating these systems may ultimately build strength, resilience, and a willingness to share ones experience with others."

2011 Moving Lives Forward Scholarship Recipients

Jessica D.

Inverary, Ontario

"When I opened my letter at the post office down the street from my house, I ran home like a bullet to tell my mom the great news. At first I couldn't believe it, but when it finally sunk in, the knot in my stomach loosened its hold on me. Knowing I had enough money to pay for my college tuition and other educational expenses, I was able to relax more and actually enjoy the experience of starting a new chapter in my life rather than worry myself needlessly.

As a prospective Biotechnology Technologist student at St. Lawrence College, my years ahead are going to be hard enough. It's encouraging to know that those with mood disorders (such as myself with depression) can get access to supportive resources such as this one, which will aid us to have a more fulfilling and positive future. I was always the kind of kid who chased after frogs and admired all of the intricacies of a leaf, so marching ahead into studying in a scientific field came as no surprise to my friends and family.

For the last few years I have been battling depression; two years ago, even the thought of post-secondary education would confine me to my bed. I am now ready and eager to take this leap into a new life. I couldn't have done it without the support of the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Tracey Little

Marmora, Ontario

The scholarship will go toward my tuition for Fleming College where I have just finished my first semester and am entering my second semester in the Social Service Worker Program. This is a two year course and I am taking an emphasis on Aboriginal Studies to understand a new culture and to help a variety of people with mental health issues. I know how hard it was for me to understand what I was going through and I was lucky enough to have a counsellor from the Mental Health Services who understood and helped me every step of the way and I feel I want to help someone else the way I was helped.

I feel this type of scholarship is important because it not only shows the community that even if we have mood disorders we can still be productive members of society, it also shows other people with mood disorders that they can be successful and there is nothing they can't do. We become examples to others which we many of us couldn't do without this type of scholarship."

Carlo Paolozzi

Stittsville, Ontario

"When I found out that I had been awarded a scholarship I felt both relieved and happy. I was happy that I had received such an award, and was relived because of what this award meant for me and my family. I am relieved that at least my tuition will be covered and not cause stress for my family. I will use the Moving Lives Forward Scholarship to pay for my tuition and any other fees associated with my education. I am pursuing my interest in chemistry at Carleton University. I want to help people and make the world a better place, and with chemistry I can do that. Chemists are constantly making new materials every day, and I want to help by making more efficient materials for industries.

People with mood disorders have a tough time being accepted socially. Parents try to teach us to be respectful of others, but people who act differently will get different responses from people. This causes people with mood disorders to have to face challenges during all stages of life, from being accepted at the playground to making a good impression at a job interview. This scholarship helps students financially so they can pay for their education, which may have been difficult otherwise."

Belinda Smith

St. Williams, Ontario

"I was at work when I got 'the call.' I checked my voice mail, which said I received a call from the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario regarding the Moving Lives Forward Scholarship. My heart nearly jumped from my chest, and I thought 'Could it be? Have I won?!' I immediately called back and was informed that yes, I was in fact one of the 6 scholarship winners! To paint a picture, I had one of those ear-to-ear smiles on my face, and wanted to jump up and down, dance, and run into the restaurant where I work and shout out the good news! Needless to say I was both relieved and ecstatic because I not only realized that I no longer had to worry about how I was going to pay for my final year at York, but more importantly I felt completely overwhelmed with support.

The scholarship has gone toward paying for my final year of my undergraduate degree. For the last four years I have been enrolled at York University in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies as an Honours student, majoring in English with a Visual Arts minor. After this year I plan to apply to Teacher’s College as my goal is to become a secondary school teacher. I am passionate about teaching. I had experienced some of the worst and best times of my life from the grades seven to 12, and encountered numerous teachers who inspired me immensely. I want to be that inspiration for young people who are dealing with the challenges of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, especially those who may be suffering from a mood disorder. I also decided to root my studies in English and Visual Arts because they are both passions of mine, as well as important tools in my maintaining stability, and I hope to develop secondary careers in literature and art.

This type of scholarship is important for people living with mood disorders because of an obvious reason: money can be a burden. It can be more difficult to maintain a job to have a steady and reliable income, as well as the potential expenses that treatment can present. The support one feels upon receiving this award leaves a lasting impact. With a mood disorder you are often left feeling alone and isolated in a world that seems to be able to cope with life and its challenges so much easier than yourself. You feel trapped and frustrated and alone. This scholarship, in its own way, recognizes these struggles, whispers that we are not alone, and that we can and will make a difference."

Clayton Goodwin

Ottawa, Ontario

I felt honoured to receive a Moving Lives Forward Scholarship as it allows me to continue my education. The greatest feeling I had about receiving this award was that I am not alone, that others care, and that one day after my education I hope to pay this experience forward to someone else in need. I feel this type of award is necessary for people with mood disorders as it helps to provide substantive equity with the educational setting within Ontario. I know as an individual with a mood disorder receiving this award has removed a lot of stress and has allowed me to apply my energy to having a rewarding experience at Carleton University this year. My scholarship will be used for educational equipment, tuition and books. I want to again express my greatest appreciation for being a recipient of the Moving Lives Forward Scholarship.

I am currently studying for a BA in Law, Policy and Government at Carleton University after transferring from Algonquin College's Police Foundations Program. I plan to work one day in the area of politics, activism or social justice field."