Comments on: Inspiring story about a 'Lil' guy who knew he could

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:43:50 +0000

In May 1999, I graduated from college with an AAS in Veterinary Science and plans to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (after I took the licensing exam the next month and passed it–and I *was* going to pass it or die trying). I got my first job in July '99 and worked at that clinic for six months part-time until I found a full-time job that paid better. I had a good job, I was trying to save to go back to school to finish my BS…things were looking good.

It wasn't long before things weren't going so smoothly. I had trouble multi-tasking when there were lots of things that needed to be done ASAP, I'd forget what someone had asked me to do, I'd zone out, I had trouble focusing and concentrating, and I'd make stupid mistakes. The harder I tried to fix the problems, the worse things got until I was let go (reluctantly, since I was a hard worker who really did try to do her best). That was a two-doctor practice. Stupid me, the next job I took was at an eight-doctor practice, and all the problems of having to move fast at the two-doctor place multiplied with eight doctors, and I only lasted three months.

I was, to say the least, devastated and felt like a complete failure. I'd tried So Hard to get better and pay attention and do things right, but the harder I tried the worse it got and some of the 'stupid mistakes' I'd made involved medication. None, thankfully, that caused any harm to the animals, but having done that more than once, I was very much afraid that if I tried again to get a vet tech job, the next mistake I made might end up hurting or killing someone's pet so I decided to 'refocus' and find something else to do. I'd wanted to go into veterinary medicine since I was in second grade, so it was something that had become part of who I was and what I saw myself as. Who was I without that? I had no idea, and felt like I'd been shattered and I had to pick up all the pieces and fit them back together again as best I could.

It didn't help that my parents didn't understand why I wasn't going to look for another vet tech job. My dad accused me of "giving up" (thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad!), not seeming to grasp that my reasons had everything to do with not wanting to make a mistake that would kill an animal (and I knew it was 'when', not 'if'). When it became clear to them I was serious about not going back to being a tech, they shifted into supporting me in my desire to go back to school and get my BS in…something. I wasn't quite sure yet, but the preceptorship I'd done at a zoo in college had whetted my appetite for zookeeping so I decided to see if that might be something I wanted to pursue.

I started back to school in the spring of 2001 at my local community college to get some general credits while shifting back into the academic swing of things before transferring. I'd decided on an Animal Management program at a two-year school a few hours away from me, and from there I'd go to a university to finish my BS in Zoology.

Being a vet tech may not have been right, but zookeeping was a perfect fit; something I told a friend felt as natural as breathing to me. While I was at the two-year school, the local zoo was my second home and I was there volunteering so much that by my second year there, the keepers would tell me to go clean an exhibit, hand me the keys, and head off to do something else. When it came time to move to the university, leaving was incredibly hard.

This being the real world, life hasn't been all sunshine and roses since then and I've definitely had some hard times to stand tall through and some days it's an effort to put one foot in front of the other and not collapse, but I'm not going to let circumstances make me a splat on the road of life.

By: jayakar jangam

jayakar jangam — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:39:15 +0000

In 1957 there lived a man called chiru who want to become a film star and show his saga to the people with his action but no can gave chance and he tried hard to do that. One day he got chance to prove himself in small movie as small character artist. He proved himself in that movies and started his origin as a star. He became number one in 2 years and being there for around 30 years with all his commitments. Meanwhile he was followed by many people who attracted by his action and became his fans. In 1987 he the one and only star to have that image in that film industry. After his 30 years of film industry he thought to launch a political party in his state and help the people and serve them better. But again in political field he was encountered by words of opposition leaders that he can't do anything except acting. He felt guilty about this words and withdrawn his proposal to launch a party. But he was disturbed by the problems faced by the people. Again he started to do the ground work. In this process he met scholars,experts and many other analyzers about his view. They told him that “a man who is having charisma,glamor,guts,stamina and more over kind heart should launch a party and serve people,in order to bring their lives in correct manner”. From that onward he was strongly dedicated to start up apolitical party. He never turned back again and left all the words to the opposition only. He launched his party named “people's conference”.At that some of the political leaders said that this party doesn't get even one seat. He can't do anything and he will frightened to be in politics. But he never gave up and moved with his actions along with followers. At last election date has arrived and every party was busy in their campaigns. They were not bothering about people's party. Elections has finished and everyone was waiting for results. When they announced the results everyone was stunned by listening to the results because 90% of the result was in favor of peoples party with new records. Chiru formed the government and did what he want to do for the poor. He is the real hero not only in film industry,political field but also in his life.

By: venkatraman

venkatraman — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:56:16 +0000

Have you heard of some one curing a disease by just blowing with mouth. Yes its true it happened in my life. One fine morning i felt numbness on my legs, just could not stand or walk, i was just 8 years then. We consulted many doctors but everyone failed and said they were not able to diagnose the reason. The same day my dad's friend who does so many pujas to god was consulted, he then came sat near me, closed his eyes prayed then just blew on my legs with his mouth the next minute i was able to walk and went to school the same day. That was the day i cannot forget in my life.

By: Triplet mom

Triplet mom — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:23:46 +0000

HI, I come from a large family and well now have a large family. It was in fact something I always wanted in life, however there was a time I never thought it would happen.

After my first son was born I was told that I would never be able to get pregnant again, well now here I am the proud mom of five year old triplets, a 16 year old and foster mom to twin three year olds. I guess you can say I got my large family.

I spent many years struggling with my infertility, I got to a point that I decided that it was just not meant to be and I through my self in to my work. I became a success at work and traveled all over the world as a result.

It was about that time that I met my now husband, we hit it off from the start. After we married we made the decision to undergo fertility treatments with not much hope of success. After a year of treatments I became pregnant with triplets. They were born at 31 weeks and are thriving today. I became a sahm and have since dedicated my life to helping children in need.

We were asked nine months ago to take in twins from our church, it was after their mom just took off one day and has not been seen since. Their grandparents are in our church and they asked us if we could take them in. I have really enjoyed being with them and having them as a part of our life. I believe that we have been blessed to have the twins as a part of our life.

I know have my large family and would not have it any other way.

By: Sara Smith

Sara Smith — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:41:16 +0000

Loved your article. I am not so much from a big family myself, but my mother came from a huge family. From hearing her talk, there was not a lot of self confidence and praise in her family. She seemed to have passed that on to us, my brothers and I. I never remember her telling us to "Just go for it". Instead she was the type of person who wanted to hide from things. I think it's very interesting to learn about how others perceive their upbringing in a big family- I like to compare it to my mom's. I never felt that my parents encouraged or praised us for the good things in our life. I only remember them making a big deal out of the bad things. I never wanted to instill those values in my children. I always made sure to praise them for everything. But like your article, it's mostly the way you see yourself. Thank you.