College Admissions Essay: The Importance Of Back Surgery

I was rolled into the operating room, without a clue as to how much my life would change, nor how quickly. Back surgery is no small operation. But imagine it in the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl. The surgeon fused my spine and placed titanium rods in my back in an effort to correct my scoliosis. I came out of the hospital with more pain than any soul should ever endure. In my mind, this seemed like a great excuse! I could miss school or gym class and I wouldn’t have to carry heavy textbooks! I could have used this to my benefit. However, I was never, nor am I now, the type of person to make up an excuse as to why I couldn’t do something. In fact, I pushed my body before it was ready. This type of back surgery requires wearing a full torso back brace for the first

When I removed it to take showers, I endured substantial pain from the lack of back support. However, one day, I decided I had had enough. I didn’t want to depend on it and so I removed it, and never wore it again. This has been a metaphor for my entire life. I do not let this pain hold me back in life and I will never let any other adversity do so either. Anyone who knows me knows that I am very independent. I was unable to go out or get ready in the morning on my own, and that was not going to work for me. So, day by day, I did everything I could to be my own person and not let this hold me back. I’ve always felt a little voice inside my head telling me that I am special and that there is a great plan for my life. I was not about to let this surgery suppress that voice. I did what I wanted to do, no matter how difficult. Studying is and always will be a struggle for me. It is a challenge to find a comfortable position which doesn’t produce pain. There is an internal struggle that ensues when I study because my body needs a break, yet my mind knows how important it is to study. My mind usually wins because I possess determination. We all endure trials in this life. We can’t let them hold