A family friend had a stroke and half his body is paralyzed. My dad lost his job. My mom battles with depression. My brother was raped. My sister was raped. Someone who I consider my brother became an orphan.
All of these people and their experiences have shaped me more than any heartbreak, injury, or downfall I have ever faced.
The man who is half paralyzed is a Vietnam vet and used to be the strongest man I know. Scratch that, he, Neil Petteys, is the strongest man I know. He shows me what true strength is every time he walks a few more steps than he could before. He taught me compassion: a woman once noticed his “I fought in Vietnam” sticker and asked where he was stationed. By the end she thanked him and offered him a 100 dollar bill. His reply was simple, “Give it to someone who needs it more.”
Neil Petteys is a man who has taught me how to be strong and compassionate.
My dad lost his job in 2010. This year everything spiraled out of control. My brother lost himself in drugs and alcohol. My sister and I never spoke and my mom’s depression took more of a toll than usual. The Fowler Five grew farther from one another; before we used to have family dinners and now we ate anywhere but the table. Ultimately all of …show more content…
I’ve discovered rape isn't a short term event; it’s a long term emotional conflict. The scary thing for me is the emotional turmoil had been going on for so long before I even knew of it. When my brother told me, his voice was strained and tears formed in his eyes. We talked about how ashamed he felt. My sister told me a year after and it tore me to pieces. My innocent mindset and fearless attitude were obliterated, and I was left to reinvent these parts of myself. From struggling to understand both my sibling’s hidden pain, I strive to be conscious of the little ways people hide or reveal themselves; when someone walks past me I looked for the intensity in their eyes or what the strain in their voice could tell
All of these people and their experiences have shaped me more than any heartbreak, injury, or downfall I have ever faced.
The man who is half paralyzed is a Vietnam vet and used to be the strongest man I know. Scratch that, he, Neil Petteys, is the strongest man I know. He shows me what true strength is every time he walks a few more steps than he could before. He taught me compassion: a woman once noticed his “I fought in Vietnam” sticker and asked where he was stationed. By the end she thanked him and offered him a 100 dollar bill. His reply was simple, “Give it to someone who needs it more.”
Neil Petteys is a man who has taught me how to be strong and compassionate.
My dad lost his job in 2010. This year everything spiraled out of control. My brother lost himself in drugs and alcohol. My sister and I never spoke and my mom’s depression took more of a toll than usual. The Fowler Five grew farther from one another; before we used to have family dinners and now we ate anywhere but the table. Ultimately all of …show more content…
I’ve discovered rape isn't a short term event; it’s a long term emotional conflict. The scary thing for me is the emotional turmoil had been going on for so long before I even knew of it. When my brother told me, his voice was strained and tears formed in his eyes. We talked about how ashamed he felt. My sister told me a year after and it tore me to pieces. My innocent mindset and fearless attitude were obliterated, and I was left to reinvent these parts of myself. From struggling to understand both my sibling’s hidden pain, I strive to be conscious of the little ways people hide or reveal themselves; when someone walks past me I looked for the intensity in their eyes or what the strain in their voice could tell