180 Medical, the nation’s premier suppliers of catheters and catheter equipment, announced the winners of the first annual 180 Medical College Scholarship Award this month after weeks of deliberation.
180 Medical offers this annual scholarship opportunity to students with spina bifida or a spinal cord injury who demonstrate courage in overcoming adversity. In this post, you’ll meet our three recipients: Daniel Pitaluga, Kristan Stanford, and Susan Crim. We’re proud to support their future success.
Meet the Recipient of this Year’s 180 Medical Scholarship Awards
Daniel Continues to Design Despite Quadriplegia
After being diagnosed as a quadriplegic, Daniel Pitaluga was already well along in an architecture program. However, when his limited hand dexterity prevented him
from drawing and translating his design ideas to the page, he thought all was lost.
He decided to teach himself complicated digital drafting tools. After this, Daniel was able to continue his education and present his designs just like his peers. In the fall, he heads to Florida International University to pursue his career as an architect.
Kristan Shares the Positives of Being in a Wheelchair
After a car accident left him a quadriplegic, Kristan Stanford has become a disability advocate.
He currently participates in a variety of sports, and he wants to be a motivational speaker.
Currently, Kristan is pursuing a degree at Weber State University and consistently landing on the honor roll.
In the meantime, he speaks to kids and young people about the acceptance and the positive side of being in a wheelchair.
Susan Overcame Violence to Help Others
After a domestic dispute with a boyfriend ended in a bullet to the neck that left her paralyzed, Susan Crim had to learn to live as a quadriplegic.
She had to battle a lot of anger and resentment toward the person who put her in her wheelchair and at her inability to pursue her prior dream of becoming a nurse.
Susan has since turned her energy toward helping others. She became inspired by a disability advocate who helped her family get access to funding that allowed her to continue her education.
She is now pursuing a career in criminal justice to help others who need to escape violent relationships.
In her work with ThinkFirst National Foundation, Susan gets to be a voice for injury prevention.
About 180 Medical College Scholarship Awards
180 Medical is proud to offer scholarship opportunities annually. Learn more at the 180 Medical Scholarship page.
