My dreams : Game Designing

My name is Kodi Canty and I am 23 years old. I have spent most of my life in CPS going through the foster care system, living in group homes and shelters. Both parents signed their rights away when I was about 13 years old, making me a Ward of the State.       Before all of this, I loved school. I loved learning. It got to the point however, where I was moving around so much I wasn’t able to focus and be successful in school. I was constantly told I would never amount to anything. I was told I would end up being exactly like my mother, which is defiantly not a compliment.       Given the circumstances, I very easily could’ve headed down the wrong path in life. Instead, I found solace in drawing and painting. Art was the only thing to make any sense to me in the complete chaos of my life. For as long as I can remember, artwork has been the way that I have coped with anything life threw at me. I worked very hard for everything I had, and the moment I was able to start working to support myself I ventured out to join the workforce. At the age of 16, this was a necessity for me.      Throughout high school, I fell in love with Martial Arts. My Sensei taught me respect and discipline… But most of all, that I had more potential than I gave myself credit for. Being moved around made me not want to be in school anymore, and if not for him, I would have given up on school and left before attaining my diploma. Because my Sensei believed in and supported me throughout my high school career, I graduated early at 16 years old, just shy of 17 years old.      I continued my education at a community college taking business and art, but I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. I juggled different options in my mind including Wildlife Biology, Zoology, and Archeology. After years of searching for something that truly invoked my passions, I discovered the wonderful world of electronic art entertainment, better known as… video games. I realized the thing I wanted most, was to have a career where I am able to use my creativity and imagination and recognized that in this field I could discover my true potential. I knew the opportunity this career carried with it, was exactly what I was looking for in the way of artistic expression; the one thing that has helped me along the way. .       Video games have always been a part of my life. When I was little I used to watch my older cousins for hours playing Diablo II and the Nintendo 64. Then, one year for Christmas, I got a Game Boy Color and started playing Pokémon. From there, Arcade, RPGs, MMOs, Strategy and even First-person shooters drew my attention.. These games helped shape my childhood and mold me into the person I am today. Although, it wasn’t just the act of playing and becoming enveloped in these games that is what attracted me, but rather, the creativity and complexity involved in creating them.      I decided I needed more. In high school, I joined our Gamer’s Club. Everyone thought it was odd because I was the only female in the club. However, I ranked in the Top 5 in our Star Craft competition. We would even have ‘Lock-ins’ where everyone would bring a console and we would game for the entire night, sometimes 13 hours at a time.      I have always been in awe of all the different worlds and characters that these designers/artists created. It was like reading a book for me, only one that I could interact with. There are so many different worlds to explore, so many different identities that you become. You can truly have perfection.       The video game artwork always caught my eye the very most; all the concepts, every single detail. I started collecting the different art and concept books for different games, including Skyrim and The Witcher. Even strategy guides became a little obsession.      The thought and imagination that goes into creating a video game, the creativity it takes to create these vast new worlds, languages, back stories and the like… it perplexed me; Excited me. To see how far technology has come and what it has to offer just in the past 5 years is breathtaking.       I will continue to work as hard as possible to accomplish my dreams. All of my life I have had to work a little harder than others. Growing up inside the system with no family to count on has made my life vastly more difficult, more so than someone can imagine. However, this also provides me an advantage: determination. It has given me more drive then I can measure to really go after everything I can dream up.       I have been blessed with a resolve that most will never experience. I have the aptitude and willpower that will guide me in the right direction. Being a woman and wanting to be in this industry also gives me a kind of ambition that I never knew existed. I will not squander this gift that has presented itself to me.   In an effort to realize this dream of mine, I have created a GoFundMe account to raise the money needed for schooling. (I have provided the link to the account below.) I don’t know exactly what writing this will do, if anything at all, but I know that I will do everything in my power to accomplish my dreams of doing Game Art and Design. I will not stop at anything.       I have had many career interests in my life... An Archeologist, Wildlife Biologist, a Scientist, a Veterinarian, a Nurse, an Astrologist, and even an Astronaut, just to name a few. I have so many passions and dreams... Through learning this craft, Game Design, I will be able to accomplish every single one. I will be able to create my own worlds and help benefit others'!      Gaming is more than just sitting on your butt, playing video games. So much thought goes into it. Gaming is part of the technological future. Game Design has been used in so many other things! For instance, I have listened to many gaming design conferences, and I learned game design has been used in things like training pilots and surgeons. There was one instance where a game was made,  Remission, to help teen cancer patients want, and remember, to take their medical treatment medication... The success rate, (although this method cannot be scientifically determined,) was exceptionally high! This talent has SAVED lives and I want to be apart of that.       This career is very expensive and I am working hard, but I fear I don’t/won’t have enough to pay for it. To any contributors, you would be helping me achieve my dreams and prove that any kid (especially those in the foster care system) can accomplish anything that they put their minds to.