18A

My prototypical customer is named Maria Velasco. She does not have many hobbies since she is constantly working to support her family of two. She drives a red 2000 Ford station wagon with an engine that turns off if she is idle at a street light for an extended amount of time. She enjoys watching Texas Ranger starring Chuck Norris and likes to watch infomercials of jewelry being sold on that channel that no one else watches. She has two children and birthed both of her children. She has a 19 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. Her daughter does not read additional material she does not need to read. She is assigned enough readings in her Art History course. Unfortunately, her son is physically disabled and mentally delayed and is unable to read books. Maria’s favorite politician is nonexistent. She votes for the independent party year after year because she believes that voting for the independent party has a sense of neutrality embedded into it. She is 53 years of age and she feels as if she’s going on 100. She was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and is doing her best to continue receiving an income to provide for her children. Her daughter works overnight shifts at a local Steak N Shake every single day after going to college all day. Her daughter is trying her best to alleviate the hardship they are facing and is working on getting her mother to step down from her position with her employer so that she can heal as best she can. Her children need her. 

What do you have in common with the customer avatar? If you have anything in common with the avatar, do you think that is a coincidence? Why? 

I share many similarities with the avatar. I grew up watching Chuck Norris on my living room TV and thought it was the silliest thing. My mother enjoyed it very much and I like to reminisce and think of the times where she was here with us. Unfortunately, the avatar and myself have similar financial situations. I do not have family. When I say that, I mean it. No one reaches out, no one tries to help. I am constantly struggling financially. The one thing that helps me most is the University of Florida. I was admitted as an MFOS Scholar and they have continually helped me receive the financial assistance I need to live. I think it is not a coincidence that I share these similarities with this customer avatar. We seem  to belong to the same demographic and could benefit from assistance.