Cru & A | Abigail Davis

Davis - SM

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 What is your career goal and why?    
My career goal is to be an Occupational Therapist so I can use my life experiences to help others who are handicapped or have limb differences.   As a baby, I needed the help learning to crawl and walk. Having only one hand made my balance difficult and my occupational therapist worked with me until I could crawl and then walk/run.   My main occupational therapist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas made a huge impact on my life. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital has worked alongside me and with me all my life.   I love everything about the hospital and want to be able to give back to them after graduation.  My goal is to work with children from birth to age 18. Having experienced some of the issues they will encounter will allow me to help them gain the confidence needed to overcome their issues. 


   Why did you choose UMHB?   
I chose UMHB for many reasons, but one main reason is because it felt like "home" to me.  The campus has a comforting feel with an open and welcoming atmosphere.   The fact that UMHB has an Occupational Therapy program was also a consideration.  Additionally, my sister, Elizabeth, attended UMHB so I have been coming to campus for years.  Being in a comfortable Christian environment was important to my college selection.  When you add on the ability to play golf for Coach Ralston, it ended up being a very easy decision.


Tell us about your limb difference.
During my mom's pregnancy, my parents were told that I would be born severely handicapped and would not live more than two years.  They were advised that having an abortion would be best.  They absolutely refused.   My parents and our church prayed for peace, understanding and healing.  The doctors said I had a bad heart, club foot, cleft palate and a missing left hand.  When I was born, no one knew what was going to happen or if I would survive.  When I was born, I was missing my left arm but they determined that all other issues no longer existed.  My left hand did not form due to amniotic band syndrome.  This is where a limb is not formed due to being cut-off by a band in the womb.  Once born, I had to learn how to do everything differently than others.  It hasn't been easy. To help me, I attended a camp for children with limb/arm deficiencies called Hand Camp.  That's when you meet others that have arm or hand issues.  It was actually the first time I saw other kids with issues like mine.   I met a lot of my friends at camp. At that camp they taught us how to tie shoes, paint nails, pull back your hair, do monkey bars, etc. It was important to me to learn that I could overcome any issue.  My parents would not allow me to say "I can't".  They said I needed to figure it out which I have always done.  I have never wanted to be considered different than anyone else.  My parents and sisters are my biggest cheerleaders.  Their support has helped make me the person I am today.


How has golf helped you?
Playing golf has helped me travel places I would have never been able to go to.  Traveling to show others with handicaps that you can overcome your issues to play golf has been so fun.  Playing golf has given me the confidence that I can do anything.  I do not use special clubs when I play.  I use standard clubs with the exception that my irons are extended 1 and 1/2 inches to enhance my overall club head control.  Additionally, my golf shaft is on the lighter side so that I don't lose club head control due to being too heavy.  My sisters score is better than I do at this point but my goal is to be as good as they are.   I can hit the same distance as other golfers, but I am working on better overall control.

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