Learn more about Jacy, in her own words, from her scholarship application essays:

“911, what’s your emergency?”, the dispatchers ponders.

The answer lies in my childhood bed paralyzed with weakness from head to toe. Suffering in silence as the saliva drools out the side of my mouth painstakingly slow because I’m too weak to swallow.

“Stay on the line”, the dispatcher requests firmly.

Hanging on by a thread as my pulmonary suffering continues. My lungs restrict the next breath as if they’re waiting for the Grim Reaper to take the next. My face scrunches up as I bear down on my teeth in pain. My chest shakes as an achingly mute sob rips out in defeat. The realization sinking in that I can’t do this anymore.

“Help is on the way.” the dispatcher states encouragingly. The dispatcher’s words are drown out as I feel the gentle touch of my lifeless hand being grasped into another larger, rugged one. The source of that hand is no other than my stepdad, Jonathan. He gives me a tight squeeze of reassurance that I can get through this, but not alone. My teary eyes glance back at him as my head weakly nods in agreement. Gasping sniffles presume as I continue to keep fighting against my respiratory failure. Not before returning the faintest squeeze of my stepdad’s hand.

The disconnect tone rings begin to be replaced with the ambulatic lullaby.

Growing up with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) resulted in me becoming a frequent ambulatic caller. MG is a rare, life-threatening, autoimmune muscular disease that creates weakness in the skeletal muscles responsible for mobility and respiratory function. Once MG reaches a state of respiratory failure it is called a Myasthenic Crisis. In-patient treatment such as life support and urgent IV medications are required to help stabilize my Myasthenia Gravis temporarily until long-term treatment can be presumed. Even with this complex medical regimen, there’s one simple addition that changed my outlook on care. Holding my hand. During various stages of Myasthenic Crisis, I remember all I wanted was to feel the warm grasp of someone else’s hand. This simple gesture helped me realize in my most vulnerable moments that I am seen beyond my disability. I’ve held multiple hands along my medical journey from a variety of healthcare professionals and loved ones. Now, It’s my turn to do the same.

I hope to lend a hand to my patients by providing compassionate care to all regardless of the social identifier as a future Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Registered Nurse (RN).

Neonates are one of the most vulnerable and tiniest patient populations due to not having a voice in their care. In order to be the advocate my patients and families need, it begins with earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Receiving the MDFF Scholarship helps me to answer my purpose by earning BSN, RN behind my name. Additionally, the MDFF Scholarship allows me to maintain a Dean’s List all the way to graduation in May 2025 without any financial barriers in my way. Currently, I’m building my clinical judgment through experiences such as being a Student Nurse Extern in Eskenazi’s Level 3 NICU. While pursuing my nursing degree, my minor allows me to conduct community-engaged research focused on communities of color through the interdisciplinary lens of Africana Studies. Research allows me to care for my patients holistically while incorporating spiritual and cultural needs. Preparing for the nurse my patients need, but also deserve.

My future patients and families deserve someone who will walk with them hand-in-hand along their health battles at bedsides just like my nurses did with me. My nurses helped me grasp the idea that even with a disability, I too, have the ability to succeed as a future nurse! They reminded me that just because we live in a world where nothing is promised, I can still always guarantee delivering compassionate and comforting care to patients and families. My nurses and loved ones inspire me to continue to make change with not just my hands, but with my voice, mind, and heart.

MDFF is proud to help Jacy on her educational journey through being awarded an Andrew “Sparky” Seever Scholarship. 

More about the scholarship:

The scholarship is named after the late Andrew “Sparky” Seever, a former MDFF board member and Ball State alumni. Education was very important to Andrew and he aspired to make it accessible for everyone. MDFF mirrors those values so it was our honor to help his family create a scholarship in his name and help Andrew’s legacy live on.