Discovering Her Place

Cruz’s understanding of belonging has been formed not solely by her tradition, but in addition by her experiences as an athlete.

She started taking part in indoor standing volleyball in 2014. In 2017, incapacity modified her capacity to compete. Following three surgical procedures, she skilled a lack of mobility and energy in her left ankle and decrease leg.

For an adolescent whose life had revolved round volleyball, the change was devastating.

“Once I was in highschool, when all of my incapacity issues occurred, that basically felt like my world was crashing down,” she stated. “Like I wasn’t going to have the ability to play volleyball anymore.”

Then, in 2019, solely months after her third surgical procedure, Cruz found sitting volleyball.

The game gave her a approach again onto the courtroom, however it additionally launched her to one thing she had not realized she wanted: group.

For the primary time, Cruz was surrounded by athletes who understood experiences she had as soon as believed made her totally different. She noticed individuals with totally different disabilities, totally different backgrounds, and totally different tales competing on the highest ranges of Paralympic sport.

“Having this different house that I may see it was going to be okay, and individuals who seemed like me have succeeded on the highest ranges in Paralympic sport, was actually essential,” Cruz stated.

That have modified how she sees individuals — and finally influenced the counselor she hopes to develop into.

“Each Para athlete has a narrative,” Cruz stated. “A few of my teammates had most cancers. A few of them have congenital disabilities. A few of them have been in traumatic accidents. And I believe all of that has actually helped open my eyes to see previous the individual and see all the issues that make them who they’re.”

Carrying Her Tradition Ahead

Cruz’s personal cultural story has additionally given her a deeper understanding of what it means to really feel seen.

At 17, she moved from San Antonio to Oklahoma to coach with the nationwide workforce whereas ending highschool. Leaving a predominantly Hispanic group for a predominantly white one was a serious adjustment.

Teammate Nikki Nieves, a Puerto Rican athlete, grew to become an essential supply of connection.

“She’s been there for the reason that starting,” Cruz stated. “Having any individual else who understands slightly bit was actually impactful at that age.”

The expertise bolstered Cruz’s perception that younger individuals ought to by no means really feel they’ve to depart elements of themselves behind to suit into a brand new setting.

“Being who they’re of their cultural identities and taking that wherever they go along with confidence is what I’d need them to see,” she stated.

That mission is especially significant given her family historical past. Cruz doesn’t communicate Spanish, regardless of each of her mother and father realizing the language. Her grandfather informed her he was punished for talking Spanish at school.

His expertise has stayed together with her.

It’s a part of why Cruz needs her future counseling workplace to be a spot the place college students really feel snug bringing their complete selves — their tradition, their experiences and no matter challenges they might be going through.

“I hope they really feel peace,” she stated. “It doesn’t matter what the scholar could also be going by means of, they will come to me and really feel secure. That they will share brazenly no matter is occurring and never really feel judged.”