Ahead

Many people get stuck on what is behind them instead of what is ahead of them. They get so caught up in the past that they cannot look to the future. In turn, they may not realize what their life is like in the current state that it might be in.
    Growing up, I was always treated like an outcast due to what had happened. Being diagnosed with Epilepsy as well as losing my mom a few months a part set me apart as a person. Many people knew my mom and knew my situation with my health. In turn, not many people (both kids my age and adults) did not know what to say or how to talk to me anymore. I began reading more and talking less. In essence, I had become a book-a-holic. Not only did I had my nose in a book learning about something new; but, I began reading books that interested me such as The Last Apprentice series and Harry Potter series.  In time, people began talking to me as if nothing was wrong. They saw that I was still the same girl I had been before with the only difference being that a few things happened that affected the rest of my life.
   Finding a place that I could call my own was something that I struggled with daily for several; years. School was one of the places that I felt safe at. The privacy of my room became one of my safe havens.  I was able to think clearly after being alone in my room. It was wrestling that became my best safe haven. I had made more friends in the wrestling world than I had at school. Most of them helped in me being in a better mood whether they realized it or not. To this day, there are those that are able to do that and make me laugh. I do not think I will ever have a place that I can call my own. Having wrestling as a main safe haven is just as good. I always end up having a great time and being in a better mood.
    After a while I started coming into my own. The decisions I made affected me in a positive way to a point that others noticed. I have learned things from my mom before and after she died. She told and showed me things that I understand now that I did not then.  The things that she instilled in me will always stay with me. Her influence helped me through her death in addition to my grandmother (her moms) death. Influence can be a powerful thing.
      Many became judgmental towards me because of what I had been through in such as short time. It was something that I had grown used to and learned from. Not everyone will understand what I have gone through and how I have learned from it. I have had as much positive as I have negative things said about my positive attitude as well as the choices that I have made. I am not sorry for any of the decisions that  I have made. I have become a  blunt person and would rather say things as they are than say things that people want to hear. Things need to be said that have to be said whether it is good or bad.  Life is never fair and never will be. Things happen and can be learned from. It is up to the individual to decide what choice and decision they want to make. Learning is part of life.
    The journey ahead might be unknown to me right now; however,  I know there will be situations that will arise where I can use what I already know and apply it.  I learned from my past and have already applied it in life. One of the many goals is teaching others that it is perfectly fine to be a little different. Much of the world today is used to having to conform to something instead of being who they truly are. One thing my mom taught me was to always be myself and not what others want me to be. Consider what they say and make my own decisions. That is the difference between conforming to something and standing out.

Weird

In most cases, I have always the weird one of the bunch growing up. I have always had quite a bit of knowledge, a different point of view, as well as like being a little lower on the totem pole unlike many others. Most of my friends were a little more popular and had things I could not afford. Being on a budget was always the downside; but, it was always worth it.

I often knew how to think out of the box in addition to being able to have a different perspective on situations and see all sides of the current situation. It was always something that not many people had until later on. The ability helped early on because I made decisions that affected my life in a positive way.

Epilepsy not help. Not many want to be friends because “contagious” stupid because not. 12 year old kids at the time so not really understand. Losing my mom around the same time did not help either. However, I learned from it and helped others understand in a way they could by telling them about my experiences and emotions that arose. It felt good to not only get things out but help people at the same time. It was a double dose of good in times when I did not want to talk at all.

I gained the knowledge through personal experience as well as doing the research needed to learn new things. It was something I was good at. In turn, I was able to pass the information on to others and teach what I knew to others to help them with different things. I was also able to cope with things and move on. I did have thoughts of suicide but realized it was not worth it. I knew I could have a better life and people that loved me who would help if I simply asked.

Positive thinking lead to positive actions and more positive life. People in life try downgrade but only turn into positive. They do not realize how negative they are until hit rock bottom. Never care not my problem. Negative people that hinder things and dealt with by simply move on. Disregard what they say and ignore.

People may think I am weird; but, it is their opinion. Everyone is different in their own way and society view not matter anymore. I Am who I am and nothing can change that. I will only improve my attitude on life in addition to being and having a positive influence. It may seem impossible to be so positive but it is not. However, it is simply the mind saying that it is too hard to accomplish. When life is so negative, it can only get better when positive attitude changes that.

Revolutionaries

Over time, there have been many revolutionaries in the world. Each has done something unique to make them a revolutionary. A figure that is forever remembered for what they did as well as the accomplishments that they made.

Edgar Allen Poe is one of the many poets that have become famous from his works such as “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Raven”, as well as “The Masque of the Red Death.” All of his works from poems to short stories were filled with horror. Whether it was from his life or surrounding events in the world at the time it was horror filled in addition to being gruesome in some way. He often times went into gruesome detail with different things. One of his many accomplishments was gaining the editorial position at the Southern Literary Magazine. He had published several books by this time. One of which had been entered in and won a contest in the Saturday Visitor. In his later years, he made a living as a literary critic and theoretician. Often times, he would attack as well as insult an author and the northern literary establishment. His reputation was him being a fearless critic and being blunt. Furthermore, he is now known as having tales of horror as well as haunting poetry that would have that lyrical rhyme to it.

Helen Keller was a Deaf-Blind women who became a woman's rights activist. She gave women hope and confidence to set their minds to what they wanted to do instead of letting men control them. She let them know that they could do anything that men could and have the same rights as men. In addition to that, she showed that she could lead a normal life. She never let her Deafness or Blindness get in the way. Furthermore, she proved that it did not matte whether or not she was Deaf-Blind. Instead, she showed that she can travel the world and speak the truth through Anne Sullivan. She had become an Advocate for the Blind as she toured and raised money for the American Foundation for The Blind. One of her biggest accomplishments was entering Radcliffe College in 1900. She was the first Deaf-Blind person ever enrolled. Four years later on June 28, 1904 she graduated with her B.A. Another one of her accomplishments was touring the world answering questions about being Deaf as well as Blind. She was literally able to show the world that Deaf-Blind people are just that. People. That people who cannot see or hear should be treated as a person in addition to respecting them.

Stephen King is another horror writer that wrote over thirty books. He is also still writing even though it is at a much slower pace. Among his many books are The Shining (1977), IT (1986), Dark Visions (1988), and Insomnia (1994). Quite a few of his books have turned into movies that have been just as scary and chilling as the book. Even though he is semi retired, he will always be remembered as one of the best horror writers of all time.

http://www.poemuseum.org/life.php

http://www.rnib.org.uk/aboutus/aboutsightloss/famous/Pages/helenkeller.aspx

www.stephenking.com

Writer

   Being a writer, my mind is always on the move. Always thinking of something new. In comparison, being a wrestling fan often works to my advantage. I go to a lot of wrestling and I have seen quite a few things happen. Things such as injuries (minor to severe) as well as getting to know quite a few people. There are several current and past WWE employees that I know.  I have met legends such as Larry Zybysko, Steve Keirn, Ron Bass, Jake Roberts, Dusty Rhodes and more. Not only have I gotten to know the business; but, I have come to know guys as people nothing more. They are like everyone else with them being wrestlers as one of the few differences. In recent years, we have lost a few guys to various things. Just this year we have lost "Sweet and Sour" Larry Sweeney, "Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne,  Mr. Wrestling 19 and Ryze. All four men were tremendous in their own right and left far too soon. Life happens and takes the good ones. 
     Being a writer also means writing about things you love. Wrestling is one of them. Another one is advocacy. I am an advocate for many things. Autism, Cancer, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Deafness as well as preventing an epidemic of STDs I know people who have Autism, who have had cancer, are Deaf and have Diabetes. As for me, I have Childhood Epilepsy. It is not easy with any of these. All have struggles in their own way on a daily basis. It is other people that do not understand. It is due to the lack of understanding from the misconceptions. When people see that the misconceptions are false they will see that there is more to it than what they though. In turn, people will ask more questions and be more open minded. However, until that point in time many people will be close minded and stupidly ignorant.
      Writing poems and short stories is something I have done for years. I have written hundreds of poems as well as several dozen short stories. I am currently working on a few poems and short stories and plan on publishing them when I am done. However in the meantime, I am a college student. I have been working hard to get my degree and almost there. My love for ASL (American Sign Language) and other languages is still very vibrant. Being an ASL Interpreter has been put on hold for several reasons but will return later on. Until then, being a writer and advocate is something that will be an advantage. I know I will become a writer and ASL Interpreter at some point in my life and eventually travel the world learning other Sign Languages in addition to writing about my travels. All of my passions can be mixed to give the world a better understanding of different people with a different culture. To further add, writing about things that I love and have a lot of  knowledge of  will be sent out, read and change the world bit by bit. It is something that can be done simply by reading and passing it on to others.

Deafness: I'm not Deaf but I am aware

I am not Deaf but have been an Interpreter in training (not yet certified) for a little over five years. It is a different feeling when in the field in addition to a very good experience. Deaf people are as normal as hearing people with the only difference being that a Deaf person lives in a world without sound. Some Deaf people were not born Deaf but lost most or all of their hearing after contracting something such as meningitis or an adverse effect to a type of medicine. Many hearing people do not think that Deaf people live normally due to the fact that they do not understand how a Deaf person can live in a world without sound. They believe the misconceptions about Deaf people. All of which are untrue.

In my time as an Interpreter I have learned a lot. I knew several things but learned a lot more after I began learning Sign. I now have a lot more knowledge about Sign Language, Deaf Culture as well as Deaf people. Many hearing people are ignorant about Deaf people because they do not understand how a Deaf person lives.

Deaf people are the same as hearing people in that they have normal jobs and lives. The only difference is that they cannot hear. Often times, they are better drivers due to the fact that they are not on the phone talking. Many have college degrees which disproves the misconception that they are stupid. Marlee Maitlin and Matt Hamill are two very successful Deaf people. Marlee is a Deaf actress and was also featured in Dancing with The Stars. Matt is a UFC Fighter and was on The Ultimate Fighter.

Awareness is the first step to knowing. There are two million Deaf or Hard of Hearing people in the United States alone. Five hundred use American Sign Language. Sign Language is different in all countries. ASL (American Sign Language) is used in the United states, BSL (British Sign Language) is used in the United Kingdom while ISL (Irish Sign Language) is used in Ireland. CI is not one hundred percent safe and not for everyone. Hearing Aids are good but also not for everyone. Many parents are fearful because they have not done the right research or given the correct information. In addition, they have been brainwashed by audiologists as well as other outside sources that a CI or Hearing Aids are best for the Deaf child to have a better life. Among other things it is not morally right on account of the child being forced into it with no choice at all when he or she can choose when they are older.

Morals are often broken when a hearing parents is told that their child is Deaf. They want what is best for their child but should let them decide whether or not they want a CI (Cochlear Implant) or Hearing Aid when they are older. By letting them choose instead of forcing them can have a positive impact on not only their life but the relationship between the parents and child. There will be more trust between both parties because they were given the choice and not forced. There are people who had a CI or forced to wear Hearing Aids that do not like it at all because they were not given a choice at all in the matter.

Deafness is not uncommon in the United States or around the world. There are billions of people all across the globe that are Deaf. They are as normal as everyone else with very little limitations. I know what it is like being treated differently from having a medical condition that sets me apart from most. I for one am an advocate for the Deaf. Are you?

Cultures

All around the world there are many cultures that are different from each other. Middle Eastern is not the same as American Culture in addition to South America being a very different culture as well.

Middle Eastern culture is largely based on Muslim and terrorist beliefs. It is also due to hatred towards other cultures as well. There are people that are extremists and will die for a cause that may not necessarily be important to die for. Others want to live their life in peace and harmony. Middle Eastern beliefs have always varied from the rest of the world for various reasons but that is part of life. Middle Eastern belief is often the same in most countries. Many grow up to be militants or successful businessmen that are close minded and believe misconceptions about other countries based on what is put on their television. Thus, they may never realize that there is more than what is on television and learning is by doing. Many cultures vary and will never be the same.

The U.S has a variety of different cultures mixed into one country. There is no set religion or language. Much like High School there are different “cliques” that has their own beliefs. Like all places there are people that are ignorant and stupid. Furthermore, there are also people that are so open minded they will try anything. On top of that, there are skeptics. They are not open minded but not close minded either. Instead, they are a little bit of both. The belief system is unique as well. Many assume things and are brainwashed into believing the multitude of misconceptions about different countries and things that go on in the world overall. In time, many will see that assuming is wrong and making decisions on their own accord is the best thing to do.

South America has many legends such as the chupucabra in addition to tales that are similar to the chupucabra. Many are of some form of Catholic belief and speak Spanish or Portuguese as well. Many in South America live in poverty and want a better life but unable to leave for different reasons. If they are close to the US border they may try to find a way to cross it whether it be legally or illegally. However, many South Americans may also be happy with their life for whatever reason. Being a South American is something to be proud of in different aspects regardless of what part they are in. There are big cities they can travel to in hopes of a better life. South America is unique in its own right and always will be. The belief system tends to be simplistic and good morally. Moreover, many just want a happy life than to think about all the bad that is in the world.

All cultures have their own unique way of celebrating holidays and religion. Among other things they will always be different and unique in their own way. Not only is the Middle East, U.S and South America different in cultures but they have different belief systems as well.

A quote and lesson

“Where mercy is shown, mercy is given”

There is a particular show that I watch that some of you may know of. If you know the quote you know what show I am talking about.

Dog The Bounty Hunter often says that he believes in second chances. You never know what could happen or when people may die. He shows everyone mercy even when someone does not deserve it. To an extent I can relate to what goes on. Things happen in life to where you are at a point in your life where you need to change. For some it is being in jail. For me it was different but I had that epiphany moment that changed my life.

Going to wrestling shows has always helped after a death or just a bad or horrendous week in my life. I've been able to clear my head while at a show. Its also given me insight and change something that needs to be fixed. The friends that I have made in wrestling since I started going have helped more than they ever know or will imagine. They have been there when they did not even know it. I have talked to a few when I did not want to talk at all. They listened and gave me advice and I was able to work things out. There were other times when I didn't go to anyone but still got advice because I was able to think like they do and somehow just know what they would say.

My first big break after I began my quest in the Journalism field was writing for The Pitt. 19 let me write and published most of the things that I have written. His death not long ago hit me hard. He was a mentor that I will be forever grateful for. He always told me to follow my instincts and go with my gut. Write from the heart and run with an idea. The advice I received from him will always be with me.