Concussion by Ian

Concussion by Ian - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

Darkness. Persistent migraines. Dizziness, nausea, amnesia. Welcome to my freshman year.
It was the first day of high school, possibly the most intimidating moment of a 14-year-old’s life. I stepped onto a campus ten times the size of my junior high. Seniors towered over me as I navigated the unfamiliar hallways. I worried about not only finding my classes that day, but how I’d rise to challenge of the increased academic rigors, making new friends, and maximizing my experience over the next four years.
What happened next is nothing I could’ve anticipated, and it changed the course of my life for the entire year, and quite possibly forever.
I was waiting anxiously outside my Spanish class as the first bell rang. My teacher flung open the door to greet us—right into my skull. I was on the ground, spots swarming my vision and blurry faces looking down with concern.
Struggling to return to reality, I walked to the nurse’s office. The school then rushed me to Kaiser Permanente, a place that would soon become a second, unwanted home. My head rang as I was diagnosed with a double concussion.
The darkness of my room became my refuge. Any speck of light would send my head into a whirlpool of dizziness and pain. Every meal was in the solitude of my bed, every friend I “talked” to was a typed message communicated through my mother. Cut off from everyone, detached from schoolwork, and unable to engage in my favorite activities. While other freshman were finding their footing and making new friends, I was left with isolation and pain.
Worse, my recovery was slow and disheartening. I was not allowed to return to school and the schoolwork I managed to complete garnered poor grades due to post-concussion syndrome. Depression hit hard and had remarkable staying power.
What I envisioned as my triumphant return as a sophomore was anything but. My lingering symptoms made it difficult to complete routine activities and tasks. A year after my concussion, I still suffered from massive migraines, noise and light sensitivity, and exhaustion. My grades and self-esteem suffered as I was unable to work to my full potential. This was not going to stop my perseverance and drive to overcome difficulties.
Finally, as I started my junior year, I could feel the symptoms starting to dissipate. I worked with tutors and teachers to get back on track. I volunteered at the local courthouse, worked as a youth juror, and joined the debate club. I increased my course load, taking honors and AP classes, and achieved a 3.83 GPA by the end of the year. With a course load that is even more challenging, I plan to continue this upward trajectory during my Senior year.
My concussion had an immense impact on my life and the people around me. Before the accident, I was a competitive basketball player and sailor. I belonged to sailing teams on both the east and west coasts, traveling the world to compete in regattas with the best sailors in the world. After, my chances of making the high school basketball team and the United States National Sailing Team vanished. My mother stopped working to take care of me. My father struggled to balance family and work life.
I’ll never forget the day I finally felt like myself again, a full two years later. I walked downstairs and smiled at my mother. She burst into tears and exclaimed, “He’s back!” Her smile lit up the room. All the stress and sadness melted away.
What I’ve learned through my unfortunate accident will help me both in college and throughout my life. I know how to persevere in the face of insurmountable odds. I’m positive. I possess the physical strength and mental fortitude to push past pain to achieve my goals. I’m confident I can face any challenge with resilience and a positive attitude.