Actually, My Younger Brother Is My Role Model
Start writing a post
Relationships

To My Younger Brother, I Can Never Explain How Much Of a Role Model You've Become For Me

Yes, he may look taller, but I'm really the older sibling.

281
To My Younger Brother, I Can Never Explain How Much Of a Role Model You've Become For Me
Andi Mazzarella

When Ty was in 2nd grade, he was diagnosed with a condition called acute cerebral ataxia. This caused the frontal lobe of his brain to swell. As a result, he lost his ability to walk and talk and was bedridden in the hospital for about 2 weeks. There was even a point when the doctors came in to inform my parents that they were not sure if they would be bringing my little brother home.

This was a really detrimental point in my brother's life. Pushing through, he made it out of the hospital and went right into months of physical therapy and speech classes. I remember we had a blue line of tape down one of the hallways in my house where he would practice walking in a straight line to gain his balance and mobility back. Though he was making progress, he was unable to attend school for most of the year.

He eventually managed to gain his strength back and was making up class work with a teacher that would come and catch him up on class material at home. After a couple of months, he even managed to make it back for the last month or so of school.

One of the activities that would happen at the end of the school year would be the gym class track meet, and like every other student, Ty wanted to participate. The little kid decided he wanted to run, and not just that, he wanted to run hurdles. When it came to the day of the track meet, he ran through every hurdle, knocking each one over, but he was up and running again.

Though my little brother made it through this difficulty in his life, this wasn't the end of Ty's medical issues. Somewhere along the line, he decided he didn't want to be an easy kid. He developed asthma, which meant many emergency trips to the hospital, and exercised induced anaphylaxis shock from tree nuts, meaning that if he were to eat tree nuts and exercise intensely within an hour window, he would end up having a severe allergic reaction, causing his throat to swell shut.

Even though he experienced many scary and life-threatening instances because of his medical issues, nothing seemed to stop his motivation or stop the little kid from doing what he loves, which is playing soccer.

Yes, he used to have to bring inhalers to every game and practice, and now refuses to eat anything an hour before doing any physical activity, and currently has to carry an EpiPen in his soccer bag, but none of this ever stopped him from playing.

Over the years, I started to really become proud of and inspired by my younger brother. He has pushed past and conquered everything that has tried to squander him while growing up. Though he lives in fear that eating a cupcake will make his throat swell, he still manages to be the happy and driven athletic kid that everyone knows him to be.

Ty, you inspire me every day to push myself towards goals that I want in life. You help me get through difficult situations knowing that there's always a bright side to my struggles. Thank you for being the strong younger brother I couldn't live without.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45177
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28548
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953128
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

159556
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments