Sunday, December 7, 2014

Exploration 9: Katie Wells

Part 1:  The day was November 24, 2013, at Grove City Church of the Nazarene. I took those steps down to the lukewarm water, all the images of my journey to this day flashed before my eyes. My anger with God, my forgiveness to him, my love for him, and my journey He has guided. My head went under and in the moment when I took that first breath from going under, my soul lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July. My dad was behind me, waiting his turn to get baptized. This not only made a change in my relationship with my father up above, but my father here on earth as well.
     My relationship with both my mom and dad have strengthened each year that I turn older. I've realized that they have both found someone who makes them beyond happy, and to see them so much in love, brings me happiness. That night at the lock-in changed my life and relationships with not only family and friends, but God as well. Some people think that believing in God is just going to church and following the "rules". I use to be one of those people until God showed me that there is so much more. Having a relationship with Him and trusting Him with my life has made me a better person, and He has shown me the power of forgiveness that has changed me forever.
     This was a couple paragraphs for Essay 2: Narrative. I chose to share this because of how much I loved to write this essay. The topic I chose was perfect to write about and made me realize just how much of a powerful impact divorce had on my life in more positive ways than negative.
My Mom, Dad and I Fall Sports Night. October, 2013. One month before Baptism.

Part 2:  My Grandmother, Norma Cardwell has not known my name or who I am for almost three years now. In my first essay for this class, I wrote about my grandfather, Ron's, experience with his wife having Alzheimer's. Not many people know what Alzheimer's is all about. Alzheimer's is a form of Dementia that takes away the control of mental powers. It leads to forgetfulness, personality changes, and simple tasks not being able to be accomplished. This terrible disease is becoming more known each year because of how many people in the United States and across the world are being diagnosed with it. There is no cure for it and it can come on very fast. To learn more about this disease, the website I would like to share is  www.alz.org.
   
My Gammy and I, December, 2013.
   
     This topic of Alzheimer's is so important to me because seeing my family and I go through the process was very brutal. I wish my family would've known more about this disease to be more prepared. Being prepared and knowing the facts means that your loved ones who are diagnosed can have the process slowed down. I strongly encourage you all to visit this website. Even if it's for a few minutes, it will give you a sense of what Alzheimer's is about and the symptoms to look for if it ever comes across your path.
My Gammy, Papaw and I, April of 2013.

10 comments:

  1. The writing you shared is amazing! I love the description and sense details. Especially the line "My head went under and in the moment when I took that first breath from going under, my soul lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July." That was great use of a simile! I could tell in both writings that you really cared about the subject. You weren't just writing to write, you were writing because you wanted to. Great job! it was nice meeting you this semester and good luck in the future!

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  2. I agree with grant, well done! You have done an excellent job of painting a vivid picture that i can see clearly in my mind. I am glad you chose a neurological condition to write about, because that is something that is very important to me as well. My grandpa died of a heart attack before he showed any signs of Alzheimers or dementia, but my grandma and her sister, my great aunt had it very bad. It was a terrible experience to have to deal with. We knew enough to have it diagnosed early so that helped a little, but in the end there is really nothing you can do except be there for them. My grandma died this last new years day, and her sister died about a month and a half ago, this isn't so much sad as a relief because they're no longer suffering, though I of course it is a little sad. This is part of the reason I chose neuroscience as a major and psychiatry as a goal, hopefully one day something more tangible and concrete can be done about these conditions that effect so many so very much.

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  3. I actually got to read your entire essay and it was wonderful! I think you chose a great part of your essay to share with the class. A lot of people do not know much about Alzheimer's, myself included, I will definitely check out the website you included to learn more.

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  4. This is awesome! Really, it is inspiring how you see God, and how real He is to you. I remember working on the Essay Two- and that we share a connection in the known impact a grandparent with Alzheimer’s has on a family. The use of pictures in his post makes it feel alive even more so. Telling a story doesn't always have to be limited to words, and your pictures, especially the ones with your grandparents, are real, and personal.

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  5. Grand job, it really paints a realistic picture of what it would be like to have a grandparent with Alzheimers.

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  6. I really like your essay it's really inspiring, and the sense details make it seem very real to me, and feel like I am in your shoes. Also, I agree with your topic of Alzheimer's, I feel that this disease is often overlooked and needs to get more attention. This disease is really hard on families, friends, and anyone who knows some one who has Alzheimer's.

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  7. The essay you chose was so well written and really inspirational! I honestly believe that you are such an amazing writer, and did a splendid job of using different sensory details to make the story come to life. :) Very well written!

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  8. I would have to agree with all the other people who already commented to your blog. You did do a great job on the essay,

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  10. I absolutely loved that you decided to address the topic of Alzheimer's because as you state above not very many people understand what it is. Though I have not experienced losing any relatives to Alzheimer's, my Grandmother and my Aunt both died from a disease very similar to Alzheimer's, Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, which is where I learned the effects of both diseases.

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