2 Miami-Dade students win scholarships from Multiple Sclerosis Society

Beatriz Benitez was only 7 years old when her mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At 13, Alexander Alvarez found out his mother also had MS.

Life hasn’t been easy for them because both have had to take care of their siblings and do chores.

But this fall, when Benitez and Alvarez start college, they will receive a little help from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Benitez, who is from Doral, and Alvarez, from Hialeah, are the only two students from Miami-Dade County, from the 500 scholarships awarded, who received a $3,000 scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must either have the debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system or be the child of someone who has it, as is the case of Benitez and Alvarez.

Jolene Caprio, communications coordinator at the MS Society, South Florida chapter, stressed the importance of the essay written by the students.

“Thousands applied, but they stood out,” Caprio said. “The essays said a lot about themselves, their family responsibilities and their future goals.”

Benitez and Alvarez have had to sacrifice a lot to help their families on a day-to-day basis.

Benitez struggled with her grades at school because, aside from taking care of her mother, Carmen Benitez, she also has to take care of her older brother, who has Down syndrome, and juggle a part-time job.

“It was a barrier I wasn’t ready for,” Benitez said. “My grades really suffered from it, but I was able to raise my grade-point average with online classes.”

Alvarez was not able to participate in any extra-curricular activities during high school so he could help his mom, Natti Alvarez.

“I cook. I clean. I help her get dressed in the mornings. I take my little brother and sister to and from school,” Alvarez said. “I help out the whole day.”

Benitez and Alvarez also decided to stay home for college to be able to continue helping out their families.

Benitez will be attending Miami Dade Honors College to study chemistry and Alvarez will be starting at Broward College to study either criminal justice or education.

“We support each other,” Alvarez said. “ It’s like a support group, we are always there for each other.”

But at the end of the day, Benitez and Alvarez are just regular teenagers.

Alvarez likes to work out and play video games, while Benitez enjoys mixed martial arts and horseback riding.

Both have learned a lot about themselves through the struggle with their parents’ disease.

“It helped me mature,” Alvarez said.

“I see things differently now. It taught me to live in the moment.”

For Benitez, the disease made her realize she wanted to be a doctor.

“You get into the hospital routine and you either love it or hate it,” Benitez said. “It showed me I wanted to do something that will help people.”

Benitez and Alvarez also have some advice for those who may not understand the disease.

“It’s definitely a misunderstood illness,” Benitez said.

“It’s not something to overlook, and it changes your whole life.”

“I just hope we find a cure,” Alvarez said.