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The Performance Eyecare team is excited to introduce you to our 2025 scholarship recipient, Deon Harrington, of Godfrey, Illinois! Deon is deeply passionate about helping others, a drive that stems from his personal experiences growing up with a brother diagnosed with autism. Through witnessing his brother overcome challenges and volunteering with the local Special Olympics Basketball team, he has developed a profound sense of empathy and understanding for individuals with diverse needs. Additionally, his dedication to baseball has taught him valuable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and turning setbacks into opportunities for growth, even when facing injuries during critical seasons.
He entered the “Build Your Dream Scholarship” contest because he recognizes the financial challenges of pursuing higher education while maintaining his athletic commitments. The scholarship represents more than just financial relief—it’s an opportunity to focus on both his collegiate baseball career and his academic studies without the burden of financial stress. He views this scholarship as a crucial stepping stone that would allow him to transform his dreams of helping others into reality.
Throughout his baseball career, Deon faced significant injuries during crucial seasons that forced him to confront his limitations and rethink his approach to the game. Rather than being discouraged, these setbacks fueled his determination and taught him valuable lessons about hard work, discipline, and perseverance that extend beyond sports into all aspects of life. This firsthand experience with injury and recovery has given him unique insight into the rehabilitation process, making him particularly well-suited for his future career in physical therapy.
Therefore, Deon’s ultimate goal is to become a physical therapist, with a particular focus on working with children and young adults. A direct quote from him says, “My aspiration to become a physical therapist stems from my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I have seen the power of rehabilitation, both in my brother’s progress and in the athletes I have trained with. I want to be the person who helps individuals regain their strength and confidence after an injury or illness. My goal is to create a practice that emphasizes the importance of mental health in the healing process, ensuring that my patients feel valued and supported throughout their journey.”
He envisions creating a holistic practice that addresses not only physical rehabilitation but also the emotional and psychological aspects of recovery, emphasizing mental health in the healing process. Drawing from his personal experiences with his brother and his athletic background, he plans to develop personalized treatment plans that foster supportive environments for both physical and emotional growth, believing that early intervention can lead to significant improvements in patients’ overall well-being.
We were truly inspired by hearing this promising young man’s journey through life, and look forward to what he has in store for the future!