The Step Won't Stop Me by Kaylee

The Step Won't Stop Me by Kaylee - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

My life changed when I walked off a single step in January of 2022. A step I had taken over a thousand times resulted in a broken foot, two surgeries, and five different foot issues. Now, I have a damaged nerve and Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, a rare chronic pain that is not quick or easy to treat. Through these years of challenges, I discovered a strength I did not know I had: the ability to keep moving forward even when progress felt uncertain.
Since 2018, I have practiced a form of karate called Tae Kwon Do. It’s been hard to stop and start this sport because every time I return, I have to relearn to balance, proper form, and how to jump and land safely on my foot. While I’ve lost dexterity and it is hard to twist my foot, it is even harder to convince myself to participate because of the fear of reinjury. However, each time I had to take a break, I always made it a goal to go back, even when I went home crying each night.
Unexpectedly, I found a love for marching band my freshman year of high school. Initially, my foot was not in much pain. However, in sophomore year, the pain became frequent, unpredictable, and hard to ignore. I had to quickly decide if I wanted to keep up with the grueling schedule of practice every day, football games on Fridays, and marching competitions on Saturdays. I was determined not to leave my section, my friends, and what I loved doing. I learned how to push through pain while communicating my needs with my band directors and bandmates. Even though my marching technique was rough and my choreography looked like a newborn giraffe walking, I tried my best and pushed through the pain. I crab-walked instead of sashaying, and I became even better at balancing on one foot. I took breaks when I needed to, even if that meant sitting in the middle of the practice field. Even when the pain spiked during my last year of marching, I chose to keep marching through the discomfort instead of moving to a stationary band position.
My foot pain does not just impact the group activities I participate in; it also impacts my day-to-day life. Simple activities such as standing in line, walking through a store, going down stairs, or sitting in Calculus class can trigger my pain. However, I have not let this pain stop me from going on adventures with my friends and family or planning future endeavors. I visited Branson, Missouri, with my high school band while using a knee scooter, and I have a Girl Scout-sponsored trip to the United Kingdom planned for 2026. I refuse to miss out on meaningful opportunities.
In addition to physical pain, my foot conditions have impacted my mental well-being. Sometimes at night, my thoughts spiral, ending with me silently sobbing and trying not to wake my sister sleeping beside me. Other times, I will step into a hole or stumble off a step, and my heart immediately starts to pound. I worry about what would happen if I hurt myself again. Every time I start to spiral, I stop and remind myself that I am fine and nothing bad happened; I will get better.
While there is no clear timeline for when I will be pain-free, I refuse to put my life on hold. I don’t wait for the perfect circumstances to move forward. I start moving and figure it out along the way. This experience taught me how to adapt, show up, and advocate for myself even in uncertainty. What began as a painful setback continues to shape how I face challenges in every part of my life, and the lessons I learned will remain with me long after my foot heals.