Personal Narrative: An Interview With Ben Edwards

When you parents tell you not to do something do you just do it anyways. Well I do and this time I think I learnt my lesson. It all started on a normal Saturday and we were gonna go on a hike, but none of us wanted to go somewhere so we just did it at home. We got our bags and water ready and busted for the trail. I thought it was gonna be a normal day and we would all have fun, but I got proved wrong. The trail itself is about three miles and a couple of extra steps,but with the surprise we only walked a mile of it.

Growing up with a father in the military, you move around a lot more than you would like to. I was born just east of St. Louis in a city called Shiloh in Illinois. When I was two years old my dad got the assignment to move to Hawaii. We spent seven great years in Hawaii, we had one of the greatest churches I have ever been to name New Hope. New Hope was a lot like Olivet's atmosphere, the people were always friendly and there always something to keep someone busy. I used to dance at church, I did hip-hop and interpretive dance, but you could never tell that from the way I look now.

Over my years of school, one big influence on me has always been sports. Ever since a young age, I have always enjoyed playing and watching sports. In my four years in high school, I have fell in love with the sport of lacrosse.

I woke up and took one bite out of my pop tart but that one bite was all I could eat. My legs were shaking, and my heart was pounding. My dad told me, “It is a true honor to even make it this far so go out there and have some fun.” Once I heard this statement, I knew I was ready to go. I arrived at school and boarded the bus. The car ride was an hour and fifteen minutes of hearing the squeaking of the wheel on the bus. My teammates were getting their heads ready for the big game.

On Sunday, August 2, 2015, approximately 1805 hours, I was dispatch to Magnolia Assisted Living, 964 South Main Street, for a suspicious person report. Upon my arrival I met with the complainant, Ms. St John. St John stated a suspicious person had urinated in the back of the building and stumbled across the street. St John stated the subject walked across the street towards the Pavilion, 949 South Main Street. St John advised me he was a white male with a brown shirt, blue jeans and brown hair

I’ve always been an outsider, it’s been hard for me to build friendships and relationships. Not too long ago, there I sat in the corner of the room in the way back, trying to hide from the world, and be myself. I didn’t really want to get involved with anything or anyone. I was afraid to open up, talk to others, maybe because I was afraid to get rejected. Until, I met the best people I could ever meet, my best friends Marisa Mendoza, Jessica Contreras and Deseray Reyes, the ones who up to this day have sticked by my side, at my best, and worst moments. They have all been a big part of my life, I can enjoy every minute I spend with them. For me, they aren’t only my friends they are like my sisters.

I met with Carman Mitchell to have an interview regarding their non-profit company and to fill out paperwork she needed for the company. Also, she gave me an orientation and training. The company is located in the city of Centerline and they rent a spot in a Catholic Church building that is quite old. The church used to be called St. Clement Catholic Church and was in service from 1854 until 2007. Coincidently, I remember attending this church with my grandmother as a child for Christmas Eve mass. As of June 30, 2012, the church is named St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families. Moreover, I did not get to see the whole inside of the space they are occupying in the building. I observed the reception type area and then a hallway that had various rooms. Carman took me into a room which was her office and it had an older computer, tables, old carpeting, and filing cabinets. There was sufficient work space which was nice.

My eyes opened and all I saw was black, a strong rhythmic knocking noise echoed in the room. Isaac, my best friend and dorm mate was having a seizure and I watched as his body banged against the bedroom wall. It was terrifying. I was in shock and had no idea what was wrong with him, but suddenly I remembered reading about seizures in my old lifeguard manual and realized there was nothing I could really do. The optimal method was to wait and maintain his airway. I felt powerless, but eventually the seizure passed and Isaac returned to his old self. Soon after, I learned that for as long as I had known him, Isaac had been harboring a secret: epilepsy. Three years later, I saw Isaac‘s body on a gurney under the fluorescent lights of a hospital. He had another seizure, but this time, there was no one there to help. All that I have left of him are memories of who he used to be, his laughter and generous smile. My best friend lived with his illness, and he never once let it control his life. In him I saw firsthand the complexity of human health, the fragility of mortality and I’ve been inspired to pursue medicine ever since.

The next person I interviewed was Charlie Cost. To begin Charlie agreed that the interview process was something he was okay with going through and he understands this process is to help me grown and understand how children learn math.

I interviewed Mr. Dean Bond two weeks ago. He works as a Sr. Chemist for Mallinckrodt, where he has been employed for over 14 years. I estimate he is in his 40s.

On October 21st, 2015 the blue sky was hiding. You couldn’t see well because of the fog in the air. I interviewed Zach Brown. I was very excited about interviewing Zach because I have heard that he is interesting. Zach is very smart and very funny, so this was fun for me.

and Vontrell Williams always made it their business to get me back on my feet. The trainers would change my bandages daily, and I was sidelined. The following Spring 2014 I hoped to get healthy enough to get invited to camp because I never been. My goal was to always step on the field. Everything that I was going through was going to be worth it if I just got one second on the field. Summer 2014 I worked 40 hours a week, participated in all team activities and workouts, while taking two classes. I worked so hard to make camp and was told that I was going. The very first day of camp when everyone was getting ready, I found out that I would no longer be going. I was told if someone got hurt, I would be the first to replace him. Another terrible

On the cold fall evening of September 29th, I chose interview my dad, James Fisher, about his experience of coming of age. He has affected my life, so I wanted to see what affected his life. When I met with James Fisher, he was very enthusiastic. I asked him to sit down with me.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work for Richard Henderson this year. He always pushes our staff to go above and beyond our best selves. The standards that he has for our staff and community are very high but I think that it has made us a strong team and an even stronger community. Richard is in his office with the door open during the week, available for anyone with questions or concerns. It is easy to strike up a conversation with him at any time and it will most likely be memorable, due to his great sense of humor and great Scottish accent. Richard makes a point to be out in the community, showing off his pool skills or walking his two dogs Brody and Mosa, the residents know and love him. His wife is also very present in our community

While many people may just see an old crashed truck, I see something that’s been a part of my life. It might look unappealing to others, but this vehicle has served my family for a long time. It has assisted us with many tasks, like using it to go on spectacular camping trips, or helping me understand all about the functions of a car, to driving along the dunes of the Outer Banks to make a trip to the beach trip epic.