For many students, daily life is full of hassles, worries and stress. One OSU student, however, is grateful for being able to live her daily life and wants to give back to those who helped her live it.

Kelly Studebaker, a sophomore in pre-communications, said she owes her life to Children’s Hospital. At age 11, the cerebral hemorrhage she was born with caused a blood vessel to burst in her brain. As a result, she had to re-learn how to do everything.

“I used to be right-handed, and since the left side of my brain was affected, I had to learn how to write with my left hand. I had to learn how to walk, how to talk, how to tie my shoes with one hand,” Studebaker said.

As a little girl, Studebaker enjoyed all forms of dance.

“Dancing was a big part of my life. I was good at acrobatics and gymnastics. I also did jazz and ballet,” she said. “But in the fifth grade, when I had the hemorrhage, I couldn’t dance anymore. I had to start from scratch.”

She had a hard time re-adjusting to life after the hemorrhage.

“I had a disability when I started junior high, and even though kids were understanding, they ignored me. That really hurt,” she said.

Studebaker said she stopped caring about what others kids thought of her and started doing what she wanted to do for herself.

“I wasn’t the norm, and people in high school finally respected me for that,” she said.

Doctors told her family she would not be able to do any of the things she did before. They were mistaken, however.

“The brain surgeon told my family I would be in a wheelchair and wouldn’t be able to dance or go to school or anything. But I’ve proved them all wrong,” Studebaker said.

Studebaker heard about Buckeyethon and said she knew she wanted to participate immediately. The 26-hour dance marathon to raise money for Children’s Hospital’s Behavioral Health Department caught her attention.

“I can’t say enough about Children’s Hospital. If they hadn’t been there, I’d be dead,” she said. “What better way for me to give back to Children’s Hospital than by dancing? Dancing is my spiritual outlet, and I have the motivation to dance for 26 hours.”

“When OSU chose the Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Department to be the recipients of the money raised at Buckeyethon, we were just thrilled,” said Heidi Green, assistant director of development at Children’s Hospital.

Green said the money raised at Buckeyethon will be used to purchase items a variety of important items – play therapy toys, books and journals on proper parenting skills, computerized instruments used for diagnostic testing of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and blank journals for teen-agers to write private thoughts and feelings they do not feel comfortable verbalizing.

Don Stenta, the faculty adviser for Buckeyethon, said OSU chose the Behavioral Health Department to set up an endowment because it is the least-funded area in the hospital.

In addition to the proximity to the Children’s Hospital, its strong connection with the university and its commitment to helping kids made it a hands-down choice because of the incredible potential which exists in establishing a strong relationship with them, Stenta said.

“We want students to build a relationship with the kids, the families and the staff at the hospital,” Stenta said. “College students get too much bad press. This is a chance for them to be seen doing something good.”

Green said establishing an endowment with the money raised at Buckeyethon stands to produce significant returns for the people at Children’s Hospital.

“Treatments are intensive and costly. It is expensive for families to have monitoring at home. So the potential for this endowment is huge. It’s something students should be proud of,” she said.

Ruchi Singla, spokesman for Buckeyethon, said the goal of the event is not only to raise money but to make it a tradition.

“Buckeyethon is special because it incorporates a worthy cause into a fun event. Participating students should know what they’re doing is making a difference in the life of someone who isn’t as blessed as them,” Singla said.

Stenta said 25 families and staff will be present at Buckeyethon throughout the 26 hours.

“We want the families and staff to interact with the students. Also, depending on the age of the children, we’ll get them involved with games and on the dance floor, making them real partners in the event,” he said.

Since she started college, Studebaker has taken two dance classes, and she performed in a dance recital during autumn quarter. Studebaker said she aspires to be a motivational speaker one day.

“I want to do it because I can inspire people to go for their goals. It’s taken me time to get where I am, and I’m behind most people my age, but I’m doing it,” she said. “Maybe I’ll be here for six years, but when I get my college diploma I’ll be jumping. All of those hours of work will be worth it.”