When Passion Became Purpose: My Story
I’ve always known I wanted to pursue interior design, but in 2017, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, that vision shifted into something deeper. That was the year I realized how the power of design can truly impact lives.
One of the most defining moments came during one of her chemotherapy appointments. The room was filled with rows of large recliners, clearly designed for physical comfort, but not for the psychological or emotional comfort of patients and families. Most patients needed someone to accompany them, since driving themselves wasn’t recommended during treatment. Like many patients, my mom relied on someone to drive her, so I went with her. Yet there was no place for me to sit. Instead, we were expected to grab folding chairs from a supply closet and set them up in the aisle beside our loved one’s recliner.
One day, a patient in the aisle behind my mom experienced a medical emergency. Nurses rushed over with a cart, but I was blocking their path. I had to scramble to fold up my chair and move out of the way so they could reach the patient. In that moment, I couldn’t stop thinking: What if I had a physical disability and couldn’t move quickly enough? What if those extra seconds of delay had cost that patient the care they urgently needed?
That experience reshaped my perspective. I realized interior design isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces. It’s about safety, dignity, and the ways design can support people during their most vulnerable moments.
This moment ultimately inspired my interior design thesis; A pediatric cancer care facility inspired by Shinrin-yoku, designed to spark awe and wonder, treating children as kids first, and patients second. While researching, I reached out to a nurse at the Grace Hospital, the very same space I had visited with my mom years earlier. I shared my story, and she responded, “You know what? It’s funny you say that, we’re actually renovating our space now for that exact reason.” She explained that they were in the process of renovating the space to create seating for family and friends beside patients, while also improving sightlines from the medication prep station.
Hearing that affirmed everything I had been working toward. That day in 2017 wasn’t just a turning point for me, it was a real-world example of how design decisions can affect care, safety, and comfort. And it’s the reason I remain passionate about healthcare design today.
