Identity Final Project
My name is Anna Bride, I am from Shakopee Minnesota, a small but fast changing and growing town. My family is like most, Mom and Dad, my younger brother and I. My life was pretty normal I would say until high school. You know girl scouts, softball, soccer etc. My freshman year of high school I became very aware of the aspects of life and who I was as a person. I began dabbling in many mediums of art. Art was and still is a very important aspect to my life and it was taught me many lessons. Throughout high school I continued to want to better myself more and more everyday, I think this hard work onto my own self has been handed to me from my father. I am very grateful to have inherited this because I think I am on my way to not turning out half bad. I constantly am aware of the souls I surround myself with. Though few in number, I love these individuals more than anything.
Asking my peers about their identities…
Bailey:
- What are some identity traits you believe you have?
“I think some of my traits would maybe be that I’m empathetic, I am a good listener and I am a pretty good communicator.”
2. How do you believe you have required these traits?
“I think my ‘goth’ phase in 2011 (laughs) definitely impacted my morals and personality. Another thing I would say would be my nephews being put on this earth. Spirituality is a huge part of my identity.”
3. Have you ever dealt with a serious illness/ cancer in your immediate family? or extended?
“My dad was in and out of the hospital a lot a couple years back cause of depression.”
4. How has this shaped you identity?
“It was a really shitty time in general, it really made me think twice about a lot of things and I still do think twice still today. It opened my eyes a lot on mental illness and I’m more aware of when someone needs a smile, just to be mindful of what you always say to people.”
I noticed a few things that connected throughout the interview. One thing that stood out to me was the connection that Bailey’s empathetic trait could have stemmed from her dad’s experiences in the hospital. The sickness has influenced Bailey’s way of communicating because she understands that anyone could be going through something.
Yeliz:
- What are some identity traits you believe you have?
“I would describe myself as a people pleaser. I’m curious, an includer and very extroverted.”
2. How do you believe you have required these traits?
“My dad came to America from Turkey and from his stories I’ve just learned that everyone comes from somewhere, everyone has a story.”
3. Have you ever dealt with a serious illness/ cancer in your immediate family? or extended?
“My mom and sister have suffered from vertigo and they’ve also both struggled with mental illnesses. My mom has struggled with depression her whole life and has been going to therapy ever since I can remember.”
4. How has this shaped you identity?
“This has shaped me in the way that I value a lot more, you never know what could happen so I choose to live very in the moment.”
Mitchell:
- What are some identity traits you believe you have?
“I’m pretty sympathetic, and from the strengths builder survey I learned that I am an includer and I have the trait of connectedness.”
2. How do you believe you have required these traits?
“My mom always has included so many different people into our life. I was always meeting new people and becoming friends with my parents friends. I always find the good in every person, even if its the person everyone hates I always find something I see as good.”
3. Have you ever dealt with a serious illness/ cancer in your immediate family? or extended?
“My grandma struggled with breast cancer for 20 whole years.”
4. How has this shaped you identity?
“It made me ore sympathetic towards people who are going through hard times, I am able to talk to them about it. I understand all kinds of diversity.”
After doing these interviews I have concluded that there is a correlation between identity and sickness within the family of many of my peers. Though this sounds obvious the correlations between what type of identities emerged after this, is what stood out as similar to me. All three individuals described identities such as sympathy, understanding and acceptance. I wanted to highlight these connections as I relate my own story to this…
On Christmas night two years ago my mom went to the ER so about the 10th time that December. This night the nurses and doctors finally tried to get to root of my moms constant migraines and random spouts of throwing up. My brother John and I drove around Shakopee in the snowy night. We headed home after a run in with a sheriff for spinning donuts in the high school parking lot, our parents were still not home when we arrived back. The next day we awoke with what would be news that changed all of our lives. My mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor that night. The tumor was located very deep into her brain, almost in the center of it all. The next step was to take a biopsy of the tumor to see if it was cancerous. This first surgery went completely fine, my mom was awake in a few hours and went home for next three months while we waited for the results.
When the results finally came the doctors wanted to act fast because the tumor was cancerous. My mom under went a surgery that was suppose to leave her with 2 weeks to recover.
As seen in the monochrome photo above, my mom had maybe complications during her surgery. She experienced brain damage and swelling which would leave her completely disabled for months.
It is two years later and my family is happy and healthy, my mom is still fighting but her tumor has been shrinking through chemo. We all help make meals, run errands and help my mom get around the house. It has been a hectic couple years been the future looks bright and my family and I have learned many things since. My identities have changed after an experience like this as my peers have as well. My traits of gratitude, care, understanding and patience have increased tremenduosly. I have also gained new traits such as forgiveness, and I mean true forgivness. I have good terms with everyone in my life that I can think of. I am selfless, I fill my life with positivity. And positivity is what has made mom get thus far.