Please read my personal essay, it needs editing.
Prompt 1: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
I sat alone, casually consuming my after school snack, when I heard it, the familiar double honk of a yellow school bus. With my face pressed against the cool glass, I peered out of the front widow, watching as the bus lowered the ramp, allowing the nurse to wheel my sister inside. From birth, my middle sister was diagnosed with severe congenital cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that disabled the function of her mobility and speech skills. At the age of four, I only understood that Jessica could no longer walk, talk, eat properly, or use hand gestures. As she entered the living room, I ran to her asking, "Did you have a good day at school Jessica?" Although she would never reply, I loved seeing the smile spread across her face as she responded to the melody of my voice. Her handicap became a part of my life, a part of how I saw the world. From an early age I took part in her daily medical routines and hospital visits. That is how I discovered my place between a boisterous older sister and a sister with special needs. I looked at my family, and my parents' responsibilities of work, children, and medical bills and realized I had to become a silent supporter. I noticed where help was needed and assisted without being prompted. I was born the youngest of three girls, and yet I became the middle child.
In retrospect, the room I shared with my two older sisters was laced with medical equipment, but ironically always felt like home. With time I took an interest in the shots, meds, feeding tubes and oxygen tanks. I watched everything. The Medicare nurses changed often and I didn't want to wonder if the new nurse was giving the right dose for the intended protocol. It was my sister they were caring for, so I needed to know. At 4:30, it was time for her Albuterol breathing treatment, relieving any possible lung inflammation. Independently, I learned where the medication was, how to load it into the machine, and how to make it function. At 5:00 it was time for her to eat. She received nourishment by way of a feeding tube. I still remember standing with the doctor, a facade of understanding upon my face, as I wrestled to comprehend the precautionus endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure my sister had just underwent. Adults never believed I could master the medical material of my sister's condition, as the information was not something a child could easily understand. But I aspired to become knowledgeable of the procedures and protocols, so I worked hard to learn them. At the age of seven I discovered I could master any information placed in front of me despite those who may have believed it was beyond my capability. I had the potential, and all I needed was the drive and curiosity to realize my passion.
Now in my adolescence as I set high expectations for myself with regards to education and attending college. Indeed it was my sister who initiated my passion for the medical sciences and taught me the lesson of perseverance. The doctors did not expect her to live past her birth but she withstood tribulation until she was fourteen. As I now seek to enter the field of clinical medicine and research, I understand that I will face challenges and adversity, but because I learned to attack all problems with assiduous determination, I can emerge successful. Although my sister passed when I was ten, I still wish to use my capabilities and my voice to enhance the lives of others. Unlike those who enter the field seeking affluence, I chose to enter to better the lives of others. Jessica changed my outlook on life, and transformed me into a better person.
I can remember an instance when I was sitting in the cafeteria of UC Davis surrounded by teams of the Special Olympics. I was neither afraid nor judgmental, but touched and reminded of love. In that moment, it was as if my sister had never passed, and I was surrounded by hundreds of my brothers and sisters. Having a sister with special needs caused me to admire those facing physical and mental adversities. I see promise and potential in their lives, when no one else does. As a child, I decided that I had to love and treat my sister no different than I would have anyone else in order for her to live an equal and fulfilling life. I never saw my sister as disabled, but instead differently-abled. I now feel it is my place to be the voice of all individuals facing challenging adversities, as it was once my place to be my sisters voice. Although my sister passed when I was ten, I still wish to use my capabilities and my voice to enhance the lives of others. I have this one life to live, and if not lived helping others, than what good was my existence?
Prompt 1: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
I sat alone, casually consuming my after school snack, when I heard it, the familiar double honk of a yellow school bus. With my face pressed against the cool glass, I peered out of the front widow, watching as the bus lowered the ramp, allowing the nurse to wheel my sister inside. From birth, my middle sister was diagnosed with severe congenital cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that disabled the function of her mobility and speech skills. At the age of four, I only understood that Jessica could no longer walk, talk, eat properly, or use hand gestures. As she entered the living room, I ran to her asking, "Did you have a good day at school Jessica?" Although she would never reply, I loved seeing the smile spread across her face as she responded to the melody of my voice. Her handicap became a part of my life, a part of how I saw the world. From an early age I took part in her daily medical routines and hospital visits. That is how I discovered my place between a boisterous older sister and a sister with special needs. I looked at my family, and my parents' responsibilities of work, children, and medical bills and realized I had to become a silent supporter. I noticed where help was needed and assisted without being prompted. I was born the youngest of three girls, and yet I became the middle child.
In retrospect, the room I shared with my two older sisters was laced with medical equipment, but ironically always felt like home. With time I took an interest in the shots, meds, feeding tubes and oxygen tanks. I watched everything. The Medicare nurses changed often and I didn't want to wonder if the new nurse was giving the right dose for the intended protocol. It was my sister they were caring for, so I needed to know. At 4:30, it was time for her Albuterol breathing treatment, relieving any possible lung inflammation. Independently, I learned where the medication was, how to load it into the machine, and how to make it function. At 5:00 it was time for her to eat. She received nourishment by way of a feeding tube. I still remember standing with the doctor, a facade of understanding upon my face, as I wrestled to comprehend the precautionus endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure my sister had just underwent. Adults never believed I could master the medical material of my sister's condition, as the information was not something a child could easily understand. But I aspired to become knowledgeable of the procedures and protocols, so I worked hard to learn them. At the age of seven I discovered I could master any information placed in front of me despite those who may have believed it was beyond my capability. I had the potential, and all I needed was the drive and curiosity to realize my passion.
Now in my adolescence as I set high expectations for myself with regards to education and attending college. Indeed it was my sister who initiated my passion for the medical sciences and taught me the lesson of perseverance. The doctors did not expect her to live past her birth but she withstood tribulation until she was fourteen. As I now seek to enter the field of clinical medicine and research, I understand that I will face challenges and adversity, but because I learned to attack all problems with assiduous determination, I can emerge successful. Although my sister passed when I was ten, I still wish to use my capabilities and my voice to enhance the lives of others. Unlike those who enter the field seeking affluence, I chose to enter to better the lives of others. Jessica changed my outlook on life, and transformed me into a better person.
I can remember an instance when I was sitting in the cafeteria of UC Davis surrounded by teams of the Special Olympics. I was neither afraid nor judgmental, but touched and reminded of love. In that moment, it was as if my sister had never passed, and I was surrounded by hundreds of my brothers and sisters. Having a sister with special needs caused me to admire those facing physical and mental adversities. I see promise and potential in their lives, when no one else does. As a child, I decided that I had to love and treat my sister no different than I would have anyone else in order for her to live an equal and fulfilling life. I never saw my sister as disabled, but instead differently-abled. I now feel it is my place to be the voice of all individuals facing challenging adversities, as it was once my place to be my sisters voice. Although my sister passed when I was ten, I still wish to use my capabilities and my voice to enhance the lives of others. I have this one life to live, and if not lived helping others, than what good was my existence?
