Personal Narrative: The Three Muscles Of The Human Body

story: Who are the major characters? When and where is it taking place? Is it a

Affected individuals develop unilateral facial paralysis over one to three days with forehead involvement and no other neurologic abnormalities. Symptoms typically peak in the first week and then gradually resolve over three weeks to three months (Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 2009).Those who are at more of a risk to Bell’s palsy include pregnant women, those with diabetes, those with upper respiratory disorders, and mostly young, middle- aged, adults (Crisan & Laza, 2010). This illness is much less common in individuals 10 years or younger and individuals 60 years and above in age.

When I was initially diagnosed with my brain injury and the various disabilities it caused, I was not expected to live a typical life. Many years of my childhood were spent in weekly occupational therapy where I would learn how to overcome or compensate

Abraham Maslow once said, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step backward into safety.” My whole life I have had many medical issues typically preventing one from doing a lot of the “normal” things a child can do. But I truly believe that life is not about the circumstances you were given, but much rather how you choose to react to them. So growing up I have always managed to find a way to not let my disabilities hinder me from living my life like everyone else and defy the odds I was handed.

The most significant event in my life is that I grew up with my disabled father. My dad has been suffering from late-stage liver cirrhosis. This terrible illness caused his permanent disability, which has changed my life in many ways. My dad’s attitude toward the disease taught me to persevere in the face of difficulties while staying strong. The hardship molded my approach towards adversity and helped me mature quickly to take responsibility as a leader.

My condition has helped me to understand the plight of others who live with chronic conditions and, more broadly, people who have daily struggles that they have to overcome. I have realized that in life we do not choose what journey we will be given, but we can choose how we will take it on. From my own journey I have learned to see from the perspective of others as they try to navigate their own paths and to look at others not with our eyes but with our hearts.

Bell’s Palsy is defined by a temporary, unilateral paralysis of the face caused by inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Inflammation of the facial nerve is unknown although theories about a viral infection or disorders of the immune system have been found in research as possible causes. An MRI or CT scan can be used in order to diagnosis Bell’s Palsy by ruling out any other disorders with the same symptoms such as stroke, Lyme disease, or tumors. The disorder occurs suddenly and without any warning making it impossible for prevention. [1] Sir Charles Bell was the founder of this disorder from his studies of the facial nerve and how the interruptions of the nerve pathway caused paralysis. Bell’s Palsy generally

I witnessed the calamitous effects that the disease had on not only him, but also his family and those around him. I possessed a relentless passion to help him, but sometimes a smile was all I could provide. It devastated everyone when he lost his battle. Years went by, and when I was sixteen, I met a boy with spinal muscular atrophy. This disease made it extremely difficult when he would try to use his basic motor skills. He was always smiling and had the most positive attitude despite his disease. Through these relationships, I found my life’s purpose. The joy their personalities brought to me cannot be explained. Without them, I would never have had the heart or desire to be a

So what is Bell's palsy? Bell's palsy is a form facial paralysis. Most of the times it only affects one side of your face but in some rare cases it affects both. Bell's palsy occurs when 7th cranial nerve (facial nerve) starts acting up because “something” irritates it. I say “something” because it is not exactly sure what causes Bell's palsy. Researchers have come to believe that it is sometime type of Herpes simplex virus. The scary thing is that once you get bell's palsy there is always a chance of reoccurance. So you can get it multiple times.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose!”-Dr. Seuss. College is a choice where you chose what you want to do in life. How you want to direct yourself in succeeding in that goal. You might be someone that doesn’t chose to go to college, which is whatever because college isn’t for everyone. College brings us new opportunities in life. I was very interested in Augustana University during the college fair because they have sports, many majors, study abroad, and more!

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (2003), approximately 40,000 of the United States population of equal gender and various ages suffer from Bells Palsy. Bells Palsy is derived after a Scottish specialist named Charles Bell in the 19th century who researched on the nerves and the defined the common cause of facial paralysis with reference to the 7th cranial nerve. It has been exhibited in the research that when the function of the nerve is interrupted, the messages that the brain sends to the facial muscles thereby are not received. Hence, resulting to have the face grow weaker and be paralyzed (NIH. 2003). Similar research also corroborated the source that Bells Palsy is a peripheral affectation of the

One of the major obstacles that I had to overcome was my diagnosis and removal of a World Health Organization grade three tumor from my spinal column. During the spring semester of my senior year of undergrad, I fail ill and could not continue with the pursuit of my education. During that time I had to withdraw from all of my classes as I underwent two different spinal surgeries in order to remove the tumor. Following the surgery, I was scheduled for radiation treatment which drain me all of my energy and cause me to be sick all throughout the treatment process. I was not able to walk for a short while after the surgery. I have viewed the illness as a challenge and obstacle that I must overcome. My coping skills entail the progress that I was

Bell’s palsy is a condition that affects the muscles of the face. The muscles become weak and slow for an impermanent period of time. This disorder occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles, cranial nerve VII, becomes inflamed or swollen. The cause of the damaged is not officially known, but researchers believe that is could be the result of a viral infection.

An experience that has had a big impact on me was in 2010 when my mother was diagnosed with stage three triple-negative breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. It can't be easily treat because there are no hormone receptors that trigger growth or stop growth of the cancer. Doctor have to try every known treatment and hope that it would work. During seeing my mother have to go through all the surgeries and treatment it changed my view on the medical field. I once saw the medical flied as gross and now see it as interesting and life-changing. After see how all the surgeons and doctor changed my mothers life and saved her it has made me want to be one of them.

I was given the opportunity, in the last month, to job shadow at a local physical therapy. It was shocking, in a sad way, yet informing to see the outcomes of people who survived strokes and even cancer. A key point in the day was meeting this older gentleman who survived a stroke, but was forced to be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. He was a strong and brave man because he wouldn't take being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. I believe he'd been going to physical therapy for about a month prior to when I was there. I could ramble on telling you about this courageous, nice, and brave man for hours but I'm just going to get to the best part of the story. Before this gentleman showed up for his appointment, the physical therapist I was shadowing told me that this man just recently learned how to walk. That man proved to his doctor, who said his chances of walking again were slim, wrong. That was a memory that I will never