"It’s all about discipline, what you do, the hard work that goes into it and telling yourself to just go out and do your best"

Emma Sachs knows all about overcoming challenges.

At age six, she was diagnosed with having an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. That’s the medical terminology for a neuro-developmental condition that also goes by the shortform of ADHD. It causes individuals to experience some difficulty at paying attention, impatience, and having a low tolerance for boredom.

Those who keep track of numbers, claim that one of every 21 people in Canada has ADHD, making it quite common amongst youngsters.

For Sachs, things have changed over the years.

Now 22 years old, she is just months away from a big day - graduating from Durham College with the credentials and diploma needed to allow her to practice nursing. Her plan is to work in the trauma and emergency side of the career and help save lives.

It is great news, considering that she has already gained a wealth of experience as a personal support worker at a long-term care facility in Oshawa. There’s also the time spent helping patients who need emotional support while at the Toronto General Hospital.

But one thing still brings back flashes of irritation.

When she attended elementary school, there were insinuations that still haunt her. Specifically, the ones from a teacher that hinted there wasn’t a lot of hope for Sachs in certain careers. She vividly remembers one educator telling her that nursing (something that she had shown a great deal of interest in pursuing) was a smart person’s job. That comment left her shattered.

All Sachs did, was prove that her teacher was wrong.

“Sure, it really bothered me,” said Sachs. “Maybe it also inspired me to work even harder because it was something that I really wanted to do and I have learned, along the way, that if you really want something badly – there’s this extra push to reach it.”

Sachs admitted that while struggling academically at times, things dramatically changed for the better in secondary school. She was on the academic honor roll twice at Eastdale Collegiate - and participated in a variety of sports, as well as dance, vocals, and drama.

For Sachs, there is quite a bit of pride in her accomplishments. Make that some brilliant solutions to any roadblocks encountered along the way. All are worth celebrating. Also, tack on an unlimited amount of bold determination.

When you get an opportunity to speak with Sachs, what clearly stands out is a gregarious and bubbly personality that goes along with her success story. Happiness, too, is quite evident along with a realization of accomplishment and achievement.

As for activities away from nursing studies, Sachs is consumed with swimming.

Like many others, she took swim lessons and would become affiliated with the Oshawa Aquatic Club. At age 12, she linked up with the Whitby Dolphins Swim Club where she is a two-time award winner. But time there would be more for fun, enjoyment, and socialization.

It was just a matter of time before Sachs caught the competitive bug and, in 2018, would win a silver medal in a provincial 1,500-metre freestyle race held in Markham.

Focussing on her studies, Sachs took a pause from the world of competition and switched to officiating. With her father being an accredited Level 5 official, maybe that had something to do with her move to sticking with the sport – but, this time, being out of the water.

“The World Cup was in Toronto in 2022 and I had an opportunity to volunteer and help out,” she said. “The atmosphere was great. I met a lot of great swimmers and I had realized that I needed to get back in the pool with the hope of one day competing internationally.”

Some four years would pass before Sachs would return to the water. When competing at an Ontario masters swim competition, held earlier this year at the Etobicoke Olympium in Toronto, she would win gold medals in the 800 and 1,500 metres freestyle races and a silver in the 400-metres.

“I guess it’s all about discipline, what you do, the hard work that goes into it and telling yourself to just go out and do your best,” said Sachs, the oldest of three sisters in the family.

“It’s surreal to think where I am these days. I have a learning disability, struggled, continue to overcome some challenges and now, after having always wanted to work in health care, that’s what I am doing.”

For Sachs, her enthusiasm and good human traits continue to be her strength. As for a future in nursing and helping people, all she must do is remember the time - as a lifeguard - when she didn’t hesitate and jumped into a municipal pool in Oshawa to rescue a seven-year-old who had gone down a swim slide, swallowed water and couldn’t push off the bottom quick enough.

Talk about challenges.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.