Most people
look to celebrities or well known people for inspiration, individuals who have
achieved in their lives. This can be anyone from Steven Hawkins, to Beyonce,
depending on what each person deems an accomplishment. However, I believe
inspiration can be found a little closer to you than the writers, performers,
artists and politicians who have gained the worlds devotion.
5 years ago my
father suffered from an extremely rare type of stroke, one which affects on
average only 6 people in the UK per year. This stroke blocked the blood supply
to my dad's spine, leaving him completely paralysed. My good-humoured,
annoying, embarrassing dad had gone from preparing to run the marathon to not
having the ability to move or speak in a matter of hours.
Upon first
diagnosis the doctors said that at most he would be paralysed from the waist
down for the rest of his life. Except the doctors did not know my father, they
did not know how truly incredible he is. You see, he is ridiculously stubborn
and unbelievably determined. Therefore, my dad decided to prove those doctors
wrong.
2 hospitals, 7
months, and thousands of extensive physiotherapy sessions later, my father left
hospital walking only with the support of a walking stick. Today he had
progressed even more, with only a slight limb giving away his illness.
The difficulty
of what he worked through is something none of us can comprehend. Even today he
still struggles with it, as a stroke is something you never quite fully recover
from. However, he still pushes himself every week in the gym and with his
physiotherapist until he aches.
My dad is my
hero. He inspires me every day and what he has achieved reminds me that no
matter how much work I have to or how difficult I'm finding school, or friends
or anything, it could be a thousand times worse. If my dad could work through
his illness then I can certainly work through my English essay.
