Sophia Peña
I am a nursing student with a passion for advocating, healthcare, and nature. After years of being the patient, I am ready to be on the other side and apply my observations to my career.
Currently, I work for KIDZ Medical Services and specialize in screening newborns for hearing loss. Beyond work, I enjoy reading, knitting, and being in nature. I am always seeking new ways to grow and inspire others. I believe everyone who passes by your life does so for a reason, and I strive to make a positive impact in everyone’s life.
Oftentimes, without realizing it, the people in my life minimized me in an effort to protect me because of my health. I was repeatedly told “You can’t do this” or “that’s not possible for you.” Despite their doubts, I’ve already crossed several things off my bucket list—things they once believed I never could.
Raquel perfectly captured how I see my condition. It is not a limitation, a weakness, or something to be ashamed of. It is beautiful—a profound part of who I am today and who I strive to become. This incredible journey has shaped me, and one day, it will allow me to nurture and care for my patients with the same compassion I once received, offering comfort to their loved ones just as mine were comforted.
Seeing myself portrayed as I truly wish to be seen, not as others have decided I should look, is deeply inspiring. Raquel’s decision to take raw, unfiltered photos of me in my element, capturing exactly who I am, is incredible. She is not only a gifted photographer but also a fascinating person.
Listening to Raquel’s stories of travel and the many ways she has already brought positivity into the world has me reflecting on my own path, wondering what’s next in my journey.
