These past two weeks have been really tiring for me since I have been trying my best to study for both my metabolic chemistry and human physiology classes. I have also been stressed with thinking about what classes I should be taking to stay on track towards graduation and towards a pre-health track. I have been thinking a lot about whether I should choose to be a physician assistant, a nurse, or a veterinarian. I have also been thinking a lot about research opportunities related to the medical field.
Anyways, back to USP 141A. I really enjoyed hearing back from the senior citizens who received the Valentines goodie bags and sent out emails to thank the whole class. One specific resident, named Mary, stood out to the whole class, and almost all the students replied to her email. I decided to write to all the residents who emailed us, mostly asking if they would be willing to participate in the HAP (Health Aging Project) that I am doing and planning with Allyn, Danny Martin, Leonardo, and Abigail.
I remember one night, while I was checking my email (I check it very often), I saw a title with body shaming, which I thought was written by someone on campus. When I finished reading through the email, I realized that this personal email was actually written by Mary, one of the senior housing residents! I was so stoked to have gotten such a thoughtful and empowering email from her. To give some context, I wrote to Mary about how I noticed that she shared she was obese all her life, and I wanted to ask about her experience with body shaming if she was comfortable with it. I have personally experienced and witnessed body shaming. I really despise the way people body shame because this act is just demeaning, hateful, discriminatory, and simply disrespectful. In the email, Mary talked about a time she was shamed because of her disability, which I empathize with her for. Despite that experience, she continues to stay mentally strong and reminds herself that “What you think of me is none of my business.” I love this quote she shared with me because this is something that I personally struggle with. If I come to believe in it more, I may be able to overcome so many obstacles. This quote also reminds me of the cultural background that I was raised with and that trained my mind to add so much importance onto things that other people say about me. This is why I so often feel affected by what others may think or say about me.
Speaking of mental health, I would say that my little sister, who is currently in sixth grade, has been the biggest proponent in my recovery from my eating disorder. She has encouraged me to think about the lack of rationality certain disordered thoughts have. Additionally, she would always remind me of the little things that I find happiness in, like watching my cute little hamster, named Mercury, crawl with his quick little feet or eat.
Anyways, back to USP 141A. I really enjoyed hearing back from the senior citizens who received the Valentines goodie bags and sent out emails to thank the whole class. One specific resident, named Mary, stood out to the whole class, and almost all the students replied to her email. I decided to write to all the residents who emailed us, mostly asking if they would be willing to participate in the HAP (Health Aging Project) that I am doing and planning with Allyn, Danny Martin, Leonardo, and Abigail.
I remember one night, while I was checking my email (I check it very often), I saw a title with body shaming, which I thought was written by someone on campus. When I finished reading through the email, I realized that this personal email was actually written by Mary, one of the senior housing residents! I was so stoked to have gotten such a thoughtful and empowering email from her. To give some context, I wrote to Mary about how I noticed that she shared she was obese all her life, and I wanted to ask about her experience with body shaming if she was comfortable with it. I have personally experienced and witnessed body shaming. I really despise the way people body shame because this act is just demeaning, hateful, discriminatory, and simply disrespectful. In the email, Mary talked about a time she was shamed because of her disability, which I empathize with her for. Despite that experience, she continues to stay mentally strong and reminds herself that “What you think of me is none of my business.” I love this quote she shared with me because this is something that I personally struggle with. If I come to believe in it more, I may be able to overcome so many obstacles. This quote also reminds me of the cultural background that I was raised with and that trained my mind to add so much importance onto things that other people say about me. This is why I so often feel affected by what others may think or say about me.
Speaking of mental health, I would say that my little sister, who is currently in sixth grade, has been the biggest proponent in my recovery from my eating disorder. She has encouraged me to think about the lack of rationality certain disordered thoughts have. Additionally, she would always remind me of the little things that I find happiness in, like watching my cute little hamster, named Mercury, crawl with his quick little feet or eat.