Scholarship Program Information
The Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship Program was created to expand access to higher education for students with disabilities while investing in the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers.
Today, our scholarship program is fully committed to supporting our current recipients through graduation. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, students like Rachel Dixon, Colton Cerin, and Lucas Cook are pursuing degrees in education, medicine, public policy, and law, fields where their lived experiences will help shape a more inclusive future.
Past recipients continue to demonstrate the lasting impact of these investments. In 2026, scholarship alumna Laura Bairett graduated from Yale Law School, becoming one of the first women with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 to earn a Juris Doctor from the prestigious institution. Stories like Laura's remind us that a scholarship is far more than financial assistance... it's an investment in leaders whose impact will be felt for years to come.
While we are not currently accepting new scholarship applications, contributions to the Academic Scholarship Fund ensure we can fulfill the commitments we've made to our current scholars and preserve this program for future generations when resources allow. Scholarships aren't funded all at once, they're built one gift at a time. Every donation, regardless of size, helps us keep our promise to the students we've committed to supporting through graduation, allowing them to focus less on financial barriers and more on becoming the leaders our communities need. We welcome donations of any amount to help this program here.
Thank you for investing not only in a student's education, but in the future they will help create.
Important Dates for the next Scholarship Cycle
*To be announced*
About The Program
Since its inception 12-years-ago, LAMN has tirelessly worked to bridge gaps in accessibility by offering a diverse range of adaptive equipment. From mobility aids to specialized technology, these resources have empowered countless individuals to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
As Laughing at My Nightmare, Inc. looks toward the future, it remains dedicated to expanding its reach and impact within the disability community. Through continued partnerships and community support, LAMN aims to further empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential.
2023-2026 Scholarship Recipients
Rachel Dixon
Virginia Commonwealth University
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
Class of '28
Rachel Dixon is pursuing her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, where her research focuses on creating more equitable and accessible educational systems for students with disabilities.
Living with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), Rachel has transformed her lived experience into a lifelong commitment to advocacy, leadership, and systems change. She has served on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities, collaborated with organizations including the LGMD-1D Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, participated in LGMD Hill Day to advocate for disability policy, and contributed to clinical research aimed at improving the lives of individuals with neuromuscular diseases.
Professionally, Rachel has dedicated her career to supporting students through higher education while championing accessibility and inclusion. Her work bridges education, public policy, and disability advocacy, with the goal of ensuring that people with disabilities have equitable opportunities to succeed.
As a 2026 Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship recipient, Rachel exemplifies the leadership, service, and vision our scholarship program seeks to recognize. We are proud to support her as she continues advancing disability inclusion through research, advocacy, and educational leadership.
Colton Cerin
Loyola Marymount University
Health and Human Sciences
Class of '30
Colton Cerin is an incoming freshman at Loyola Marymount University, where he will pursue a degree in Health and Human Sciences on the pre-med track. A valedictorian with a 4.4 GPA, Colton has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a deep commitment to serving others.
Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 3, Colton has faced significant medical challenges throughout his life. Rather than allowing those experiences to limit his ambitions, they have inspired his goal of becoming a physician who brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to patient care.
Beyond the classroom, Colton has dedicated his time to volunteering, mentoring younger students, and giving back to his community. His compassion, perseverance, and desire to improve the lives of others embody the values of the Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship Program.
As a 2026 scholarship recipient, Colton represents the next generation of disability advocates and healthcare leaders. We are honored to support him as he works toward a future devoted to increasing access, empathy, and opportunity for others.
Laura Bairett
Yale Law School
JD Candidate
Class of '26
Academic Scholarship Alumna
Laura Bairett is a proud alumna of the Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship Program and an inspiring example of what can happen when barriers to higher education are reduced.
Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2, Laura pursued her dream of becoming an attorney with unwavering determination. In 2026, she graduated from Yale Law School, becoming one of the first women with SMA Type 2 to earn a Juris Doctor from the prestigious institution.
Throughout law school, Laura remained committed to advancing disability rights and accessibility while demonstrating extraordinary perseverance in one of the nation's most rigorous academic environments. Today, she continues her legal career with a passion for advocacy and creating a more inclusive world.
Laura's journey reflects the lasting impact of the Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship Program. Years after receiving her scholarship, she remains an active member of the LAMN community. Following her graduation, she shared her gratitude with our team and even handcrafted a woodworking gift for our office, a meaningful reminder that the support of our donors extends far beyond a student's time in school.
We are incredibly proud of everything Laura has accomplished and look forward to the many ways she will continue to make a difference throughout her career.
Lucas Cook
UC Berkeley
Disability Studies and Public Policy Undergraduate
Class of '28
Lucas Cook is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is majoring in Political Science while pursuing minors in Disability Studies and Public Policy. A high school valedictorian with a 4.26 GPA, Lucas has distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and a longstanding commitment to disability advocacy.
Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2, Lucas has used his experiences to create meaningful change within his community. During high school, he served as District 3 Representative on the Los Angeles Unified School District's Special Education Committee, where he advocated for more inclusive educational environments for students with disabilities. He also served as Co-Captain of his school's Debate Team, was a board member of the Alliance for Disability Awareness, and interned with Vanaman German LLP, a law firm dedicated to disability rights.
Lucas aspires to become a disability rights attorney, combining his passion for advocacy with the law to expand opportunities and protect the rights of people with disabilities. We are proud to support Lucas through the Laughing At My Nightmare Academic Scholarship Program as he continues working toward a future of greater equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Program Sponsors
