The greatest influence on my life is unquestionably my older brother, Andrew. Without him, I would not resemble the person—or the professional—I am today.

Andrew has a rare genetic condition called Lowe Syndrome. At birth, it was clear that something was wrong, but he was not diagnosed until nearly two years old—when my parents were told he would never walk, never talk, and would not live past the age of ten.

He defied every expectation.

Andrew learned to walk, to talk, and even became one of the first individuals with Lowe Syndrome to read and write. His determination inspired me, but so did the world we grew up in. Institutions for people with disabilities were only just closing when Andrew was born. Inclusion was new, support was scarce, and families like mine faced isolation, limited services, and systemic barriers at every turn.

Growing up beside him shaped me into both an observer and an advocate. I translated his earliest words for a world that often refused to hear him. I provided after-school and summer care when we became latchkey kids. As an adult, I worked night shifts so my parents could be with him during the day. Through these roles, I learned resilience, empathy, and how to navigate—and challenge—systems not built for families like ours.

My path to public service was not linear. I tried Biochemistry and Genetics to please my mother, nursing courses to stay close to healthcare, and even real estate at my father’s suggestion. None of them fit. It wasn’t until I discovered Public Health that everything clicked: I could bring together my lived experience, my advocacy, and my love of learning into one cohesive purpose. That discovery, delayed by a cancer diagnosis and a global pandemic, eventually led me to the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

At the Bush School, I’ve grown into my own voice. I’ve joined Brazos Writers, served as a Bush Board Fellow with the American Red Cross, risen to Relay for Life co-chair, and completed an internship with the Lowe Syndrome Association. Each step built upon the lessons Andrew taught me: perseverance, compassion, patience, and the conviction that advocacy—through both words and deeds—can create real change.

Here, I have finally stepped out of the role of “Andrew’s sister” and into my own identity—as Katherine: a changemaker, leader, and advocate.

“Believe in something larger than yourself… get involved in the big ideas of your time.” — Barbara Bush