Buffalo, TX
As a child, it was hard for Maranda to understand why she couldn’t do activities that other kids could do. Even studying was difficult due to the amount of time that she spent helping her mother, who lives with MS. “Growing up with a sick parent is hard,” says Maranda Baily whose mother lives with multiple sclerosis. “It puts an immense amount of strain on a family, both emotionally and economically.” Maranda says. Her father’s job in the oil industry required him to be away from home for extended periods of time. During those times, Maranda would have to feed her mother or pick up dropped items when her mother’s hands stopped working. “Compassion becomes a vital resource in coping with the difficulties that MS imposes on a family,” she says. “I had to grow up faster and put faith into a greater plan.” In order for Maranda to now attend school, her dad had to leave his job to become primary caregiver for her mom. Thanks to her scholarship, Maranda plans to attend Texas A&M University for a business degree, followed by law school to pursue a career as a patent attorney.