Analysis Of 'Derelict Fiend At Harvest Farm'

"Derelict fiends." This is how Brad, a man being treated at Harvest Farm for addiction, referred to himself. Every morning at five, we awoke to milk cows, care for the animals, spread manure, and plant trees. It was as it was meant to be: therapeutic. As we worked, the pride the men had in the farm was clear. They found purpose and saw the possibility of a life outside of addiction. I returned to Harvest Farm in 2014 where I met Andrew, a man completing treatment. Amid conversation, I realized he had taught me how to milk a cow in 2013. I knew him as a frightened, frail man. I remember the helplessness I saw in him. A year later, his resilience was apparent. He was a new man, healthy and full of anticipation for his future. While I expressed

Instead, I saw my mother. Growing up, I watched her struggle with addiction and mental illness. I longed for her to be able to seek the care she needed; to be able to provide this help myself. I wanted her to return to her former happy and adventurous self. Unfortunately, poverty and stigmas drove her away from seeking medical care. It has been a long journey, but I am thankful she has been able to overcome addiction. Volunteering at Harvest Farm provided an opportunity to help men recovering from addiction and educate students about these illnesses. It broadened my perspective beyond my experience with my mother. It helped me grasp the totality of chronic illness and its significant impact on large portions of the U.S. population. I saw how mental illness and addiction conspire and how essential a support system is in the difficult journey to overcome these illnesses. I felt grateful to be there and provide emotional support; however, my inability to help in a medical capacity frustrated me. I decided to pursue a career in

Curiously enough, fruit flies explain another component. My first research project investigated how fruit fly germ cells die, a 75 year old outstanding question. I spent 3 years diligently working on this project. The opportunity to apply ideas and techniques I had studied ignited a childlike excitement. I quickly learned research does not always go as planned and had many obstacles to overcome. With countless late nights and a continuing need to succeed I began to thoroughly grasp this research and advance the project. I loved solving the puzzle-like challenges of fruit fly genetics. This project presented an opportunity to expand human knowledge and be the first to see the process of how germ cells die. I was hooked on