Hard Work Can Overcome Challenges

I have Fragile X syndrome which is a chromosomal abnormality. Those with Fragile X can be mentally challenged and show some really weird behavior sometimes. I might roll my eyes when I don’t mean it or my eyes might go in different directions when I try to look at you. But I believe that you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it and try really hard.

Mrs. Messenheimer, my teacher for the last two years, has worked hard with me to look people in the eye and I’m a lot better at it now. Sometimes she points at me and reminds me, “I’m over here, not over there!’ Now when I notice I’m not looking at someone’s eyes I try harder. My friends don’t treat me any differently just because I don’t look in their eyes. I’m getting better with strangers, but sometimes I just need time to get to know them.

When I was in seventh grade and had a brain tumor the doctors told me I might not be able to function at a high school level. Tonight I will graduate from First Flight High and prove them wrong. My parents and teachers have helped me work hard to overcome many challenges. Freshman year I was lost all the time. Sophomore year I took drivers ed and failed, and I had trouble with friends I had made, lots of drama. In my junior year I made three really good friends, got in Mrs. Messenheimer’s class and learned to ignore the drama. Senior year has been the best because I took drivers ed and passed, and I took Ms. Gorham’s early childhood class.

From taking that class I started to love working with children. I got a job working with them which I will continue after I graduate. The doctors who told me I might not do well in high school or get a job were wrong. Hard work has helped me overcome so much. I’ve worked hard all the years I’ve been in high school, and I’ve overcome all kinds of challenges. If you put your mind to it and work really hard you can overcome any challenge you face. This is what I believe.