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Essay about biography
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“Adversity isn't an obstacle that we need to get around in order to resume living our life. It's part of our life.” - Aimee Mullins Aimee Mullins was born on July, 20, 1976. She was born without shinbones; because of this, they were amputated when she was one year old. Juliane Koepcke survived a fall of over 10,000 feet and eleven days in the Peruvian rain forest. These two women persevered through their ordeals and both live happy lives. As a child, Aimee was self conscious about her prosthetic legs. Only later did she realize that her difference is what makes her extraordinary. All her life she has been breaking expectations and never let’s anyone bring her down. “He was asking me to be less than, a little more downtrodden. He was asking
As human beings, we like to make sure never to offend or judge anyone. We even have sayings like “never judge a book by its cover”. A metaphor that is often said whenever trying not to judge someone based on their outward appearance; however, it is not often that people practice what they preach. We judge people based on external factors within seconds. Even though we know what people see on the outside is not a defining factor or who we are as people. Nancy Mairs, author of On Being a Cripple, has to live through this every day. She knows this truth very well, and lives proudly with the fact that as she is disabled. Mairs is admirable for choosing to call herself a “cripple” and not be ashamed of it. Though the word is derogatory and a word that is avoided by society, Mairs identifies herself as a cripple because that is what she is. In explaining her disability, she says, “I haven’t always been crippled, ... to be whole of limb is ... infinitely more pleasant and useful. and if that knowledge leaves me open to bitterness … the physical soundness I once enjoyed is well worth the occasional stab of regret” (Mairs 186). What really
“I am a Cripple,” when people typically hear these words, they tend to feel bad for that person, but that is exactly what Mair does not want. She prefers that people treat her the same way they would if she did not have the disease. Throughout the essay, Mair discusses her disease openly. She uses an optimistic tone, so that the reader will not recoil with sadness when they hear her discuss the disease and how it affects her life. In Nancy Mair’s essay “On Being A Cripple,” Mair uses her personal stories, diction, and syntactical structures to create an optimistic tone throughout the essay, so that the audience can better connect with the story.
This quote helped me feel better and concentrate for my better future. I just want the people that read this to know everyone goes through hardships, and there is an ending to the pain and sadness you feel now. I’ve come to realize sulking won’t get me anywhere and I need to move on and become who I want to be, and this quote helped me do
Adversities are often given a negative connotation and view, as most consider them to be hurdles which impede progress. Nevertheless when taken in and accepted under a positive light, adversities can serve as stepping stones through which an individual can better their character. In the face of looming obstacles individuals who persevere come out of the situation as stronger, determined, and more hopeful for the future.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”
Laura has used her limp as an excuse for not getting out into the world and instead hiding away and almost becoming non-existent in the world. Once Laura’s unicorn’s horn breaks off, her favorite figurine, she states, “Now he will feel more at home with the other horses, the ones that don’t have horns.” (Williams 125) This is the first time it shows Laura accepting that she is no different from everyone else, she is just more unique like the unicorn. Being different can be a burden to some people unless they are willing to embrace their “flaws” and turn it into something that they can be proud
Kevin uses his imagination to minimize his disability in his every day life. In Preschool Kevin would march around the school with his leg braces and use his imagination to pretend that he was a robot. The fact that he uses his imagination to see his leg braces as “astounding” is a great example of Kevin using his imagination to minimize his disability.
Aimee Semple McPherson was one of the most influential figures in the early twentieth century. Aimee influenced many people throughout her life and was well known in the United States. She was a missionary, evangelist, teacher, prodigious author, and founded the Foursquare Gospel. Aimee Semple McPherson was born on October 9, 1890 in Canada. Her mother Mildred "Minnie" Pearce served in the Salvation Army and had a major influence on her. Aimee used her life growing up as a way to relate to her listeners. Being a woman at the time she was living and doing what she had done was an amazing thing. Creating a business and a social movement yet not even having the right to vote is a huge accomplishment for anyone. She was a single mother traveling across the
...ive most of their life as a perfectly able-bodied person until a tragic accident one day could rob you of the function of your legs, and you have to learn how to cope with being disabled. Mairs illustrates that being disabled is more common than the media portrays, and it’s hard to deal with feeling alienated for your disabilities. These three authors have evoked a sense of sympathy from the reader, but they also imply that they don’t want non-handicapped people to pity them. The goal these authors have is to reach out to the able-bodied person, and help them understand how to treat a disabled person. The disabled people don’t want to be pitied, but they still need our help sometimes, just like if you saw someone with an arm full of grocery bags having difficulty opening their car door. They want us to accept them not as a different species, but as functional people.
Everyone goes through hard times, but those who choose to bounce back and face their challenges head on will achieve greatness. This is exactly what double amputee, Spencer West, did. Spencer West is an amazing man who lost both his legs due to a genetic disease that caused severe spinal deformation. At the tender age of 5, the lower half of his body was amputated just below the pelvis. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Spencer West decided to use his story to inspire others. Now, Spencer flies’ through life like a superhero, bringing smiles to many faces. Although it may not be a smooth flight the whole way, with his incredible perseverance, happiness through service work, and sense of self worth, Spencer West continues to redefine what
The previous insert from William Lee Adams’ article, Amputee Wannabes, describes a 33-year-old man’s wish for amputation of his foot. There was nothing physically or medically wrong with this limb; John only stated that he did not feel comfortable with his own body and felt as though his foot was not a part of him. John’s leg was amputated above the knee, and he went on to describe that the operation resolved his anxiety and allowed him to be at ease in his own body (Adams, 2007).
To start with, it is important to be able to overcome obstacles because it will help you achieve your goals in life. No matter what your dreams are, there are always going to be setbacks, those who are able to overcome them find the life they want; because even if it seems like everything is going your way, don’t count on it staying that way. Be prepared for whatever challenge is thrown at you next. Like Sylvester Stallone once said “Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. No one hits harder than life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done”.
The poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, is another example of overcoming obstacles. In the poem, the mother told the son that her life wasn’t always as it seems.”My life ain't been no crystal stair." But she kept on moving. "But all this time, i've been climbing onto, And sometimes going on in the dark,When there ain't been no light." She tells her son don’t give up, even when things get hard. "So boy, don't you turn back know. Don't you set down on the steps." She inspired her son not to give up, and to stay
Helen Keller is a woman that has done many wonderful things in her lifetime. Many people think she is an amazing person. She has taught people that no matter what is wrong with you, you can do anything you put your mind to. I believe she looked at as one of the most inspirational people in the world.
People don't truly accept life for what it is until they've actually tasted adversity and went through those misfortunes and suffering. We are put through many hardships in life, and we learn to understand and deal with those issues along the way. We find that life isn't just about finding one's self, but about creating and learning from our experiences and background. Adversity shapes what we are and who we become as individuals. Yann Martel's Life of Pi shows us that adverse situations help shape a person's identity and play a significant role in one's lief by determining one's capabilities and potential, shaping one's beliefs and values, and defining the importance and meaning of one's self.