Deteriorating is Something I Learn From by Gabriela

Deteriorating is Something I Learn From by Gabriela - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

Deteriorating isn’t a word that I was expecting myself to be saying about a person who always seems strong not only physically, but mentally as well. The screaming sound of my great-grandmother’s voice broke through my wall of protection from reality. I finally saw what had been right in front of me for the past six months, my great-grandmother only ever sitting and never trying to go anywhere else unless it was necessary, becoming a person that I no longer recognized. I was surrounded by the sounds of pain, labored breaths, and the wait for the inevitable. I looked around and realized I failed my grandmother because I didn’t realize the signs earlier on. I didn’t realize when she stopped moving on her own and started to give up. I didn’t realize how she was slowly becoming worse by the day and acting like everything was fine. It saddened me to see my grandmother in such a state when I knew that I could have delayed the struggle that she is enduring.
I now realize how much of a difference this event had on my need to help others and the importance of things we take for granted before it is taken away. I have recognized that I thrive when I am doing selfless acts for others and am able to create something better for them. Today I feel I am more fulfilled doing things for others to help better their life. Also, I have more appreciation for the aspect of body movement and the importance of it. I never thought about the idea behind how the body moves. However, seeing my great-grandmother’s body movement weaken, has sparked an interest in me to learn more about it. Movement is a key aspect of my life, and as I see the importance of movement, I find myself focusing on the effect movement or being sedentary has on the body. The event with my great-grandmother has given me an interest in understanding and studying the importance of movement, and how movement not only helps the body but also your sense of mental wellness.
As I move into the future, I hope to carry with me the newfound knowledge and interests that I have gained after the event with my great-grandmother. Not only has my want for movement guided me to a career path that I wish to achieve, but it has also created a need to help more people with their health struggles that are related to the aspect of movement. I believe a career in physical therapy will allow me to pursue my interest in helping people and be able to employ the importance of movement in my career. In this career, I will be able to impact people’s lives and teach them movements that will aid them in developing a healthy body, so they do not have to endure the struggles that my great-grandmother is going through. Even though I struggle with the reality that my grandmother is facing, I know that it will only drive me to become a person who will always strive to help those in need.