[Student Profile]
[Prompt & Essay]
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
“Flowers or balloons?”
“Just pick one! We’re going to be late!”
My dad and I rushed through the airport. We were not about to miss a flight, but rather our chance to welcome my mom back from India. I was eager to see my mom after weeks of enduring my dad’s abysmal cooking. As she walked into view, I prepared to call out to her, until I saw her worried face.
A month earlier, my grandmother had fallen and suffered several hip fractures. She was bed-ridden for weeks and needed my mother to tend to her basic needs. While my mother often spoke with her to provide comfort, I still felt helpless whenever I called my grandmother and heard her force a cheerful demeanor.
Disheartened, I began pondering how others coped with providing care and emotional support for their elderly relatives, especially if separated by distance. I realized that I had been entirely focused on people I personally know and their problems, without considering how others faced the same challenges. I became determined to give back to my community and support others who were unable to personally care for their elderly relatives.
I recalled how I cheered up my grandmother by spending time listening to her and telling stories. I would share how my day went and talk about upcoming events, from quiz bowl tournaments to scout campouts. Drawing on my love for the classics, I entertained her with stories from Greek mythology, capturing her curiosity through tales of Psyche’s perseverance and the legendary greed of Midas. She enjoyed being able to engage with me in these conversations, and I began to contemplate ways I could provide the same joy for senior citizens who could not interact with their relatives.
Galvanized by my experiences helping my grandmother, I started volunteering at a local Sunrise Senior Living Community. At Sunrise, I facilitated bingo nights, volunteered at birthday parties, and most importantly, spent time conversing with each senior citizen. I learned to understand their unique needs, desires, and personalities. I treasured seeing them smile and hearing them laugh, happy to know that listening to their stories made them feel respected and needed.
Throughout my time at Sunrise, I often saw a despondent woman in the back of the activity room. After I realized this was her usual behavior, I put in extra effort to talk to her. She conded in me that she had once worked for IBM and felt unable to do anything meaningful after retiring. Talking about her old job seemed to rejuvenate her, and I realized that she found meaning in imparting her wisdom to others. Spending time with her helped me improve my ability to actively listen and genuinely consider others’ perspectives in my interactions.
When the COVID pandemic prevented me from volunteering in person, I sent trivia packets to senior centers, continuing to provide them with the engagement and connection they desired. Additionally, I launched a GoFundMe campaign and raised more than $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to support seniors nationwide impacted by the pandemic. This challenge allowed me to realize the importance of being flexible and adapting to changing circumstances when solving problems.
Through my experience, I discovered the rewards of spending time with seniors and that even small actions are meaningful. After all, a warm smile or a brief conversation is often all that is needed to make a difference in someone’s day. Recognizing that I can make tangible improvements in the lives of others reinforces my commitment to extend help in everything I do.