Gabrielle was born with Hyposplastic Left Heart Syndrome, the same heart defect that Sydney Mae Taylor was born with. Her dream is to become a hospital social worker and work with families whose children are born with heart defects. When Gabrielle was nine years old, she participate in a program called HABIT (Having heart to care, Ambition to help, Belief in ourselves, Ideas for a better tomorrow, Tools for positive life choices). This is a program for at risk youth in the community that provides enriching activities. Gabrielle remained involved in this program, even as a camp counselor when she became older.
On top of HLHS and Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion when she was younger, Gabrielle also struggles with ADHD, which has always made school a challenge for her. The day she graduated she felt as if she had beaten the odds and won her fight against HLHS. She credits her mother and grandmother with always standing beside her and helping her to get where she is today, which is the University of Michigan. Gabrielle wondered if she would get accepted into her dream school, and now she is there, studying social work. She is now a Junior at the University of Michigan. We are happy to provide Gabrielle with the scholarship until she completes her Bachelor?s degree next school year. Best of luck, Gabrielle!