Each year, Kimberly-Clark recognizes former Bright Futures Scholars who have benefited from the scholarship in a unique way. K-C would like to share the story of a previous Bright Futures recipient, one who has overcome great challenges and continues to relentlessly pursue her dreams.

Rachel Huard’s college education began in 2003, when the Kimberly-Clark Foundation awarded her a Bright Futures college scholarship. She began school in the fall of 2003, studying at Boston University with hopes of pursuing a career in psychology.

A year later, Rachel’s life was turned upside down when she was involved in a hit-and-run car accident. She sustained broken vertebrae, neck, shoulder and ribs, as well as serious damage to her brain, heart and lungs. Rachel spent three weeks in the intensive care unit and additional recovery time in the hospital. Kimberly-Clark and the Bright Futures program supported her by placing the scholarship on hold and waiving the requirement of maintaining a full-time course load throughout her recovery.

“Kimberly-Clark gave us an opportunity to experience humanity first-hand during this difficult time,” said Rachel’s mom, Linda Huard, who is a manager of use insights for the KOTEX brand in Neenah, Wis. “The company's support and the Bright Futures scholarship helped rebuild Rachel’s confidence tremendously. I truly believe she will make a difference in the world.”

Today, Rachel continues to make a remarkable recovery. She attends the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her experience and the recovery process have inspired her to pursue a career in speech therapy. She also serves as a guest lecturer at the university, sharing her inspiring story with speech–language pathology students and professors.

Rachel will receive her undergraduate degree in communicative disorders in the spring of 2010. She is considering attending graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist.

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