My 20^th birthday is in less than one month from now, and I think it’s fair to say that I’ve already had a hell of a story to tell. As I was deciding what to write about for Odyssey this week, I was stuck on choosing a topic. I’ve written plenty of sports articles and even a couple of more personal pieces here and there, but I felt like I had hit a wall. I have had a plethora of demanding circumstances throughout my life, which I touched upon briefly in a piece I wrote on the site last spring. But that only was a small part of my story. Having a platform such as Odyssey to discuss whatever topics I feel passionate about, I decided to open up a bit and talk about my life; I’ve gone through plenty to get where I am at today and I am proud to finally tell it all, as best as I’m able to.

I was born a triplet, certainly a rare occurrence in itself. But my brother, sister, and I were born three months prematurely, which only added to the medical hardships that come along with three kids at once. While most newborns go home from the hospital after a mere few days, my brother and sister stayed for two and a half and three months respectively. Me? I did not come home for thirteen months—or 409 days, to be precise. I suffered from a number of medical problems throughout these months, a byproduct of being born at a tiny one pound, six ounces. The number of surgeries and other medical procedures I underwent during these frightening months are countless.

Upon my return home in December 1997, these complications lingered for several years. For two years, I was dependent on an oxygen machine at all times to breathe. Additionally, I required the use of a feeding tube to eat for two and a half years. For the ensuing two and a half years, I still could not eat on my own and had to be fed by my parents. I did not eat normally until I was five. Many doctors were unsure if I would ever eat on my own, and they had no idea when it would happen if at all.

This lack of ability to naturally eat was a substantial hindrance to my oral motor skills-- since I was not using my mouth to consume food. I underwent hundreds of sessions of speech and feeding therapy, sometimes up to three times a week, just to reach the level of my peers. I was subject to special feeding doctors, clinics, and programs. One such program was at a Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, where I stayed for two weeks at their renowned feeding clinic. Consequences still linger to an extent, even twenty years later, although I try not to let it impact my life negatively.

Thankfully, I have no memories of these difficult times of my childhood since I was simply too young to retain them. However, having heard these stories numerous times from my parents, I am very humbled to know that I overcame such long odds. One of the best parts of telling all these details to a public forum is the support I receive from people when they better understand me. However, what I also hope to gain from talking about my life is the fight I can inspire in others who are battling through a difficult time of their own.

All these troubles I have endured have only served to make my life better in the long run. Facing adversity over the years has taught me valuable life lessons; I truly understand the meaning of “nothing worth having comes easy.” I have become more sympathetic to others and I try not to take basic things for granted.

My struggle has ultimately brought me to the wonderful point I stand at in life right now.