How do early experiences and a single mosquito in Boulder, Colorado, change an infant's brain, causing her to develop into a child riddled by fear, a young adult who must face a life-changing surgical procedure, and a nurse who understands the importance of caring for the most vulnerable patients in our healthcare system? My story is one of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, an earth angel earning her wings, and a daughter rising from the depths and darkness of her parents' mental illnesses to become a healer. It's an emotional journey, fueled by fear and love - a journey to find my place in a world I was told I'd never be able to go. It's a story of apprehension, loss, challenges, excitement, and hope. A journey that allows me to care for patients with illnesses of the brain, patients who were once hidden from the world due to fear.