My name is Jake Uriah Rupp.
I am twenty seven years old, a dissecting aortic aneurysm survivor who underwent emergency open heart surgery at twenty six years of age. I am gay and have struggled with diagnosed ADD, depression, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism and anxiety since I was an adolescent but have found effective ways to manage these roadblocks through proper medication, foundations and friendships.
When I was twenty three I was arrested for a DUI that involved two bicyclists who fortunately survived and who would later drop serious charges against me to give me a second shot at life. I spent a month in jail because of this as well.
I was born and raised in Palmer, Alaska. I am a CBYX scholarship recipient and speak fluent German.
About the Spiel:
I speak particularly on systematic conditions we as youth are raised in and how this translates into us making detrimental or non detrimental decisions in our futures. This includes religion, self worth, substance abuse, parental folly/respect, selfishness, love, acceptance of self. I discuss these factors in accordance to my own youth.
In the mid half of my segment I discuss my decisions regarding my personal relationships, the law, drugs and alcohol, and work life. I also discuss how these situations could've been prevented with the right people surrounding me, how they hindered me, how I hit rock bottom.
Third I discuss almost dying at twenty six from a rupturing aortic aneurysm and how it shaped my future to today - how we can look to our past for answers not questions, how we can make our decisions right again, and how we can become successful people starting now.
This is a story about a good kid who got into trouble then had to rebuild his life and is still in the process of it.
This is the power of one mistake.
I talk to college students, high school students, lgbtq youth/adults, and those who struggle with substance abuse.
Let's steer these kids away from making unnecessary and poor decisions so they can stay on track.
Thank You from the bottom of my heart for reading this short blurb.
Jake