Personal Statement (Topic of Choice) 510 words
Eleven bracelets adorn my right wrist. One is a Medic Alert, with the words “<font size=small>IMMUNOSUPPRESSED ON CHEMOTHERAPY</font>” inscribed below an emergency phone number. Six are from Camp One Step for kids with cancer, three are from friends and one is from my cousin Sean. Each connects my battle with Leukemia to my personality in a positive light, a perspective I desperately needed in a time of darkness. Hidden in the midst of a collection, my medical bracelet is my favorite fashion statement.
There is an intimacy between cancer survivors. It’s as if the world is born colorblind and, when diagnosed, each cancer patient begins to paint an intricate experience using unique and frighteningly bright colors that others cannot see. Camp One Step is a place for us to share our colors and receive understanding. These friendship bracelets are a tradition at camp; they remind me of this most intimate support.
In everything I do, I insist on demonstrating responsibility. At diagnosis, I was ready and willing to take on the physical trauma of the treatment, but never imagined the experience would cripple my innermost core. After years of work to gain independence from my parents, I collapsed and allowed myself to lean on them. I found it much more difficult to receive than to give. I dreamt of the fourth of July, a day in the final and lightest phase of chemo, when I would celebrate my independence. My friend Amy made me a bracelet of red, white and blue beads. It shows her creative thoughtfulness, and it’s worn in gratitude of my renewed independence and responsibility.
My final bracelet is from my cousin Sean. He and I have bonded at family events, and through his rough exterior, I see a charming and compassionate man. While watching television with him one evening, conversation coincided with commercials. He confessed his reaction to my diagnosis was a dull one; comforted by Leukemia’s cure rate, he subsequently forgot me. His classmate’s oral report on my disease became a catalyst for his heartfelt apology and intelligent questions. His genuine concern was a touching and refreshing change from the stream of obligatory cards and flowers. After I complimented his power bracelet, he sheepishly lifted my hand and rolled the beads from his soft grip to my limp wrist. He muttered that they symbolized life and healing, and that he wanted me to have them—both the beads and the healing.
Sometimes chemotherapy seems impossible to endure, but the road is smoothed by the understanding I receive at camp, the support I receive from friends and the concern I receive from family. It isn’t my choice that my disease is always with me, my treatment always flowing through my veins. I still have choices, though. I choose to offer friendship to those willing to share their colors with me. I choose to appreciate others’ genuine care. I choose to use my renewed independence to lighten the world. It’s not my choice that my disease is always with me; it is my choice that my bracelets are.
Please describe the extracurricular activity or interest that has had most meaning for you, and why.
Many of my co-curriculars have meaning to me, but the Youth Group through my church has had constant impact on me since I joined. My time at Youth Group is split evenly between small group discussions, service projects, and relaxing with friends I wouldn’t otherwise see. I’m constantly challenged by the diversity of opinion among the group. Be it structured conversation or a baseball game, I always find myself drawn into stimulating and thoughtful conversations that outlast the timeframe for Group. It has impacted me through service as well. I often fail to notice how much service I participate in because it is so woven into the group’s activities. During my sophomore year, I helped create and organize a 24-hour day of fasting and service. Now this Lenten overnight is an annual event. Of the many activities I participate in, I choose this as my most meaningful because I was given the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, participate in service and be in the company of people I enjoy and admire.
Please describe the work experience that has had most meaning for you, and why.
The summer before my freshman year of high school, my friend Molly had the idea to organize and run a two-week day camp for kids. The camp went smoothly and was a lot of fun. It also taught me a lot about how businesses are run. There was preparation involved in the recruiting, organization of the money and the registered campers, planning of the activities and the very necessary patience with the campers and my co-counselor. This was very meaningful for me because I felt I earned my money. I didn’t just show up for a nine-to-five job; I helped create an escape for a group of kids and their parents. It was a wonderful learning experience to share with a very good friend of mine.