On April 16th, we had an assembly at my high school. I thought it would be one of those boring school assemblies we are all forced to attend. I happened to be wrong, however, because it was one of the most unforgettable and touching events i have ever been to. The guest speaker talked to us about risk-taking - a topic some would find fascinating but others would find needless and boring. It was no ordinary guest speaker, though, and she got the attention of every single student in the room.
To my embarrasment, I do not remember her name, but what I do remember was that she was in a wheel-chair. She was this beautiful 26-year old blonde girl, who had to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair since the age of 12. "How so?" you might wonder. Well, her story went like this:
"When I was about 12, me and my mother were once driving home from my soccer practice when we passed by the scene of an awful car accident. That was when I thought: 'We are so lucky to have avoided this kind of tragic fate' Little did I know that in mere moments, we would end up in an accident ourselves. I do not remember the accident itself, but I do remember waking up in a hospital a few days after the accident, chords and wires all over my body. I had an excrutiating headache and I could not feel my legs. I could not understand what was happening, and I wanted to know where my mommy was. When I first saw my dad, I did not even ask him what had happened. I only asked him where my mom was. My father then took my hand, and told me about the accident, as well as my mother's tragic death. While he was barely fighting away tears, I did not cry. I was in complete shock - 'How am I ever going to live without my mom' I just thought. But the most awful news was yet to come. As I was saying, I could not move or feel my body. My legs were espacially numb. But somehow, I thought I would get better. Yet, days passed and nothing improved. Eventually, the doctors told me I had damaged something in my spine and my legs had been paralised, which meant I would never be able to walk again. 'How would I live though? What am I going to do? How am I going to play sports? I knew my life would never be the smae again...' "
At that point, I realized how fortunate I am: I have both healthy parents, and both my legs, both my arms. Being able to walk is a privilege on its own. We take so many things in our lives for granted, while there is so much to be happy about and to appreciate. Drastic changes in our lives can happen in no time, but the consequences can last forever. We should appreciate all wwe have because we never know when we are going to lose it. This goes out to all of you, risk-takers: be careful! Some people take risks, because it makes them feel more "alive", I understand. But we all should have an understanding of what we are capable of doing and what would be too dangerous for us. If you are to take risks, be a smart-risk taker. No matter what, live life to the fullest. Love what you have, strive to acomplish all your goals, and live every day to its fullest!
