Hey, guys.
So, a while back, I posted this thread, which I’m going to repost so you can get the gist of my question:
In 1998, my father was diagnosed with a lumbar spinal disorder. To my knowledge, and I don’t know why the information would be kept, it practically came out of nowhere. Although my father was born premature (8 months), he never faced any other major problems aside from dental issues as well (i.e major overbite and crowding which had to be corrected, although since we aren’t talking a tooth practically growing the wrong way, this isn’t “uncommon”).
Born in 2000, I’ve known my father all my life as someone unable to move. He needs help walking to the bathroom, he varies in his dependency on myself. I had to learn to cook because my mother works long hours. It’s put incredible strain on extended family, my mother, and myself. I’ve had to stay home from school, go in late, or leave early to assist with doctor’s appointments, help because he’s in a bout of massive pain. Although he’s better now than he ever was, it’s just been hard.
I don’t want to push this off as something which has eaten up my life, although I’ve never openly related to someone who had an issue like this, I do know that I do have a LIFE outside of caring for my disabled parent. I still have friends, I still play video games, I still do sports. That said, though, I’ve been restricted. I’ve had to have coaches and advisers accommodate for my tardiness since I’m not permitted to participate in activities which might otherwise take my time up every single day after school or the like; heavens forbid my father needs help. He relies on me as much as he relies on my mother.
I just want to know- should I mention this? In my college application, should I at all point out my father’s disability? Or, might it hinder my chances? Could they see it that I’m just looking for a hand out and for sympathy?
That said, I also wanted to know if this could support my lack of a varsity position? Looking at the profile they had most recently, something like only 170 people got in without being a captain or receiving a varsity letter. I wanted to know if there’s some place I can make this apparent? I have almost 200 hours in volunteer work (I’m trying out for the Presidential Service Award and for the National Honor Society) shooting for another hundred or so by the end of 2017 and continuing after. I just don’t have time for such a scheduled and rigorous by-the-book set of sports. I’m very fit, and I’m trying to look good for the CFA as well?
Thoughts?