On June 24, 2014, it was a normal summer day, but for me and my family, it changed everything. That night I was suddenly woken up by my mother. She said “Sorry to wake you up but we have to go to Aunt Megu’s house.” I went back to sleep not really knowing anything that was going on. The next day I just hung out with my aunt and uncle and my cousin. I wondered where my family was but I never asked. To this day I don’t quite remember why I didn’t ask. Maybe I knew it was something serious and they didn’t want me to know. My summer went along as normal for a few days.
After a week or so my dad came to visit me. I was so happy and showed him all the new games I played and talked to him about everything that happened during the day. I was just so happy to see him and talk to him but I still never asked what happened with my sister and mom. He could only stay for a couple of hours but for me, that was not enough but I never complained because I knew he had to be somewhere and it seemed serious and urgent. After that, he periodically came over to come to play with me and each time he had to come and go.
One day after a baseball camp he came to pick me up and said he had to take me somewhere. I hoped to come and excited thoughts came into my head. Where would we go? Disneyland, Gamestop, dinner, or do I get to see my mom and sister. I was correct on my last guess. It was to go see my family. He pulled up into the parking lot of Harbor UCLA medical center. As we got out of the car, all these thoughts were going through my head. Why were you here? This doesn’t seem like a place he would take me. Did something happen to my grandfather or grandmother? I never thought it would be because of my sister. He signed in and took me to where my mom was. I ran over to her and hugged her. We were in a waiting room-type room. Then a doctor came and asked me questions. Like have I been in a hospital and told me how some machines worked and showed me pictures of people in the hospital. She asked me if I had any questions. I didn’t really have any questions because I was in one earlier in my life when I had a really hard time breathing. The only real question that I didn’t ask was where my sister was and what does this have to do with me. Then before we left the room my mom and dad told me that my sister was in an accident and that she was unconscious.
I went through all different thoughts but the one that came up was if she was ok. They took me to go see her. She was unconscious on the bed with all sorts of machines hooked up to her. She was in a cast everywhere and it honestly scared me at first and connected the dots. Why did the doctors ask me all those questions? My parents and doctors told me that she could hear me and asked me to talk to her. I don’t remember what I said to her. Honestly, I don’t remember much for this specific visit and everything was kinda blurry from that day. All I remember asking was when she could go home. I was 10 years old and didn’t really know what was going on.
After that my dad and mom would visit me more often and very rarely take me to see her. I never asked her to see because I knew that I should just go whenever they took me. But, every time I visited her it was so good because she got better every time. She could open her eyes but couldn’t talk or move her body. The next time she was able to write but only with her left hand which was not her dominant hand and wrote really big when usually she wrote so tiny you couldn’t read it. I would still live my 10-year-old life but I would be on my phone a lot more. I would often distract myself with youtube and games. It would take my mind off of everything. The only thing I had to worry about was if I could beat the level at that time. It was my escape from the real world.
She eventually got moved to a rehabilitator center and I would be able to meet her more often. She was able to talk and move everything from her stomach up. On the weekend my mother would take me home and I would be able to sleep at home with her and get to watch movies again with her. In those times I rarely used my phone or played games. I just enjoyed playing with my mom having time to spend with her. My summer was almost back to normal.
After three months we were able to go home as a family together. My life was changed but not as much as the other people in my family. I didn’t really know the effects of this until I was old. I have had to help my family whenever they need it since I was young. So at a young age, I had to learn about responsibility and how to help others. As I got older, I started to really learn things from my parents and sister. Never take anything for granted. I never thought the ability to walk every day was such a privilege in life. I have learned that being thankful for what you have been part of my life and whatever life throws at you to just smile and you will be able to get through anything. Through this experience, I have seen so many people struggle and how they live with such a positive attitude in life and nothing holding them back. I have tried to adopt their attitudes and life and ever since then, I think I have been much happier. Never giving up is something that I will always be grateful for my sister showing me. Seeing her from her accident to where she now inspires me greatly. Now I never say I can’t do anything and I will always try my best in everything I do. Seeing my sister has inspired me in many ways. One thing that I have done because of her was helping physically disabled people do things that they enjoy. I find great satisfaction and joy from helping people like her.