Turning pain into power: story of Damaris Akinniyi

Fort Worth, TX

11/1/2007

To overcome physical, emotional and mental abuse is outstanding, but to turn that pain into power is an even greater accomplishment. TCU senior and nursing student Damaris Akinniyi was able to remove herself from two abusive relationships and move forward into a promising life through her determination to attain a higher education.

“Higher education was not an option for me; it was the only way for me to become my own person, because education is the key to opening doors,” Damaris said. “I got myself a start by giving myself a start.”

As a child, Damaris was repeatedly told by her father she would never amount to anything and that she was a failure. “When I was 14, my hand was seriously damaged and broken by my father,” Damaris added. School became less important and her grades began to drop while she fell into a deep depression.

“One day I realized that I was the only one who could alter my destiny. Not one person had that power over me. Suddenly I had a passion for success,” Damaris described.

Her passion soared through high school, as she broke records in track and class became a haven for her happiness. Negative words from her father turned into positive energy in her life. Damaris fell into another abusive relationship with her husband after enrolling in college. She worked full-time and went to school full-time. The control and violence within her relationship with her husband caused her to almost lose her life again, and after leaving the relationship behind, Damaris made school her priority.

At TCU, Damaris decided to study to be a nurse. “Nursing allows me to help other people by showing them not to use a situation to push yourself down, but to uplift, especially in young women.”

Through generous grants, scholarships and loans, Damaris can make a better life for herself. “God has been supportive in helping me to continue school,” Damaris said. In 2005, Damaris received the Texas Conference for Women scholarship sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future.

The Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences has provided Damaris with the skills she needs to enter the workforce as a nurse. Through classes, labs and clinicals, Damaris has learned how to excel as a nurse.

“We are taught about diversity of cultures and how to approach them in the hospital. Without understanding how the patient views life and the world, a nurse cannot help the patient,” Damaris explained.

Damaris is also a part of the Student Nurses’ Association at TCU and Life Group Christian Ministries. She has also conducted research at the University of Arizona on gastric ulcers in mice and on HIV/AIDS in women as well as helped to write a report on the research.

After graduation, Damaris will be working in the emergency room or intensive care unit at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. She explained that working in the intensive care unit will allow opportunity for growth and learning as well as being able to focus on patients.

The Harris College of Nursing has led Damaris to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse and becoming independent.