My American Dream

   

One of my old braces. And yes, it was as uncomfortable as it looks.

     It was fascinating to read so many drastically interpretations of the American Dream. All the different responses go to show how broad the meaning is; the American Dream might be to give back to other people through charity, providing their children with a better life than they had as children, even if it means to simply buy a house, or by working to ensure that citizens have access to guns to protect themselves. As different as these may be, they are all possible because of the freedom and opportunity provided in America. They have a dream, and the diversity of each person's dream is representative of what the country means to people. People come here to make their dreams come true, whatever they may be, because they have the privilege to make something of their lives. The sky is the limit, and America is the platform in which they can build their dream.
     These people all have very high aspirations- goals aimed at improving the lives of others, of their children, of family members... so what was mine?
     Mine is something a bit more personal. In 4th grade, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, the curvature of the spine. I had a 43 degree curve of the spine, forcing me to wear a brace 20 hours a day, for 7 years. That meant wearing it in class, on the playground, and to bed. I was called "brace boy", constantly made fun of, and couldn't do some of the things that other kids were able to. A few years later, the spine started rotating. And just a few years later, I fractured 2 vertebra playing basketball, forcing me to quit the sport I loved. So I had a bad break... no pun intended. I went to half a dozen specialists to see what they could do, with little success. Unfortunately, I was forced to accept that my basketball career was over.
     Along with the scoliosis, I have a dilated aorta, which grew to the point that the doctor said I couldn't play any high-cardio sports anymore. So with these health problems, my choices for physical activity were quite limited. Therefore, I decided to take up volleyball.
     I played for 2 years, and with those 2 years, came 2 sprained ankles, forcing me to be on crutches for months each time. Because I also tore ligaments, the doctor suggested that I avoid sports that require a lot of jumping (understandably so). Then, I took up surfing, and... I still haven't gotten hurt. I absolutely love it. While it was not my first love, as an 18 year-old guy who loves to be active, this is the next best thing. I am outside, in the sun, watching myself slowly but surely improve.
     Yes, these setbacks were life-changing, soul-crushing. But look at all the opportunities they opened up for me. I had options to play other sports, to go to other specialists. These injuries weren't the end of the road for me. My American Dream is to turn pain into power, to never give up. As an American, there is no end of the road, unless you choose to end it. There are an infinite amount of opportunities out there, so many roads available, and while your situation in life might not be ideal, you have the opportunity to keep fighting. America is a respected country for a reason, and the amount of resources available for its citizens is astounding.
     I know I was very fortunate to have all these opportunities, and I also know that not everyone is as lucky as me. I truly yearn for a world in which everyone has equal access to help, to have as many options as possible to improve their lives, just as I did. I am beyond grateful for what I was able to have.
    My story isn't as dramatic and heart-wrenching as most, but, like all the others, the liberty gifted to me as an American citizen bestows upon me the ability to improve my situation.