<p>My mother is paranoid schizophrenic, and this has affected my life greatly. I haven't been as involved in extracurriculars as I would like because of transportation issues stemming from this. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's driven my family apart, but it's definitely had an impact and it's come pretty close. And of course my stress level has skyrocketed. Do you think I should write an essay about this, and how it has affected me personally? I don't want to seem like I'm using it as an excuse for a lack of involvement, and I don't want to sound like I'm sucking up to the adcoms and trying to make them feel sorry for me.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>