Rachel's Challenge

                 " I accept Rachel's challenge.", were the words we said yesterday when we heard a devastating story about a girl, Rachel Scott, and the Columbine High School Massacre. This happened at Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999. Thirteen people were killed, twelve students and a teacher, and many were injured. Two boys, Eric and Dylan, were prepared to kill as many people as they could. They set bombs around the school and outside Rachel Scott was innocently eating her lunch and writing in her journal. The boys were rapidly shooting their guns when the bullets hit Rachel four times and killed her. They also wanted to kill the school athletes, African Americans, and anyone who they thought had bullied them. After they were done they killed themselves which ended the massacre.

                       Rachel's family did not want to celebrate her death in vain. The family sent the message Rachel wanted the world to hear. She wanted world peace, people to be kind to each other, respect one another, and she didn't want people to be judged by whatever reason. Even if people were mean to her at first she would try to find out why and find the real beauty in them. Yesterday at school, these messages and Rachel's dream was told to us. We pledged to follow them and start a chain reaction. The question is " Will you accept Rachel's challenge?"

Rachel Joy Scott

Meeting Other Little People

                   When you meet someone that is just like you it is hard to let them go. Even if they only have one thing in common with you, their way of life could be the same as yours, and when you hear about it, you can't believe what you hear. This is what happens when I meet other little people. Their life feels the same as mine, even with one little difference about both of us, our size.
                  I have met a few little people before. One of them is a doctor who works at John Hopkins's Medical University. Another one is a girl I met at Walmart. The last one is my next door neighbor's, cousin's, stepsister. Today I will tell you a story about how I met one of them.

                 It was a nice, sunny day. A perfect day to play outside with someone. My brother and I decided to go play with Amanda, our five year old next door neighbor. Her cousins had come over so we had three more people to play with. There was something different I noticed about one of Amanda's cousins. I asked Amanda how old that girl was. She said," She is six years old." There it hit me like a home run at a baseball game. I wondered how could this girl be six years old when she looked like she was two? I figured she was a little person, achondroplastic like me. To make sure I asked her parents and they said yes. 

                  Could this be true? I thought seeing a little person wasn't that common. Having a little person be my neighbor's relative was a real shock. Getting out of my thoughts, I realized I was really happy to meet her and so was she. I couldn't wait to hear my story coming out of her mouth. For we two were both the same, little people.

 This post was entered in The Edblogger's Share Your Blogging Experience

Surgeries

                     If you are a little person you need to go through many surgeries throughout your life. They are to connect your bones and joints properly. That is only one type though. You can also get tubes in your ears to make you hear better. I had to get that done two or three times. This amount is very little to how many surgeries Matt Roloff got. He literally spent his whole childhood in a hospital. Can you believe it?

                     Different kinds of little people have different needs and go through different surgeries. If you are an achondroplasia dwarf like me you usually don't go through many surgeries. If you are a diastrophic dwarf like Matt Roloff the chances are you will go through many. When I got my ear surgery I couldn't bare to stay at the hospital for another second. I couldn't imagine having to stay in the hospital my whole childhood. In Matt's point of view, he longed to see his parents every week in the hospital. To him he felt as if he was trapped in there with some part of his body hurting. I am thankful that I didn't have to go through much pain. It is amazing how much he could endure.

Milestone Place

Kolkata, India

                    There is a place called Kolkata in the country of India. It is found on most maps and many globes on the northeast part of India. Kolkata is my hometown, but I have lived in Edison, New Jersey for about ten years. Until last summer, when I flew there on a never ending plane ride for vacation.

                     I lived on Park Street in a regular apartment with my grandparents. I still remember on the top of my head the day I went back. It was July 5, 2010, another summer day, but not to me. Most of you would have to drive for a few minutes to see your relatives, I had to fly. Finally, I was waiting for this moment for many years. The day finally came for our family to be reunited.

                     Waiting at the airport my brother and I look for any stopping cars. Thirty minutes later, two, smooth, sleek, shiny cars came to a halt. We rushed outside and couldn't wait for the warm welcome we were about get. Feeling the blacktop underneath my sandals I ran as fast as I could. We couldn't believe our eyes. Our family crystal clear right in front of us.

                      First came my aunt, she took my brother and I and carried us both. Then my grandparents who did the same. Next came two average kids who I call, my cousins. Both of them who don't look like they did in the pictures we saw. First my older cousin Devesh who I just said a simple "hello" to with a gigantic smile. My cousin, Ria gave my a card with a drawing you wouldn't think a five year old could do. Last came my uncle who gave me a tight hug. This was it! The moment of my life I desired for. It was finally here. Possibly the happiest moment of my life. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Milestone Event

Going to a Movie with my Friends

                    My parents always took my brother and I to see a movie. This time it was different. I was going with my new friend, Shikha. An nice, ordinary, fourteen year old. Knock! Knock! I walk anxiously to open the door for her. We were going to see Eclipse together with two of her friends. As I step into her car I am as excited as an athlete winning his first race. I had been waiting to watch this movie for weeks. My excitement grew since I was going to watch this movie with my new friend.

                  Finally at the theatre we step out the car to meet the two girls that would be joining us. We get our popcorn and tickets and find our seats. I look next to me and behind me. There weren't any adults watching us. This was common for Shikha but not for me. Crunching my popcorn I decide to stop looking and enjoy the movie. I wished this movie would go on forever like a kid reading their favorite book. Who knew I would be trusted at eleven years old while Shikha was fourteen? It was a great experience to discover. I was trusted to watch a movie with only my new friends.

                  That day didn't seem big. Not many people would think so. Why would they? To me, it was a time to be remembered. A day when I only had my friends with me, nothing more. Just four friends and a movie.                                        

Milestone Interest

Reading

                   I love reading almost as much as I love eating ice cream on a scorching, hot, summer day. All I need is myself and any book I can choose from my shelf. If I could I would read all I want. Unfortunately, I can't until my mom yells from the kitchen "Dinner time!" or "Go to sleep!" I would always insist on reading the remaining pages of the chapter, but it wouldn't work.

                   Once I grab a book from my shelf, I run upstairs to my room, adjust my blanket and pillows, then finally open then cover to reach my destination in the magical world of reading. It could be any book. A mystery, fiction, non fiction, or biography. As soon as I read the first word I am sucked into a vacuum. No one can get me out. I love that feeling, no one can get in your own secret palace.

                  A couple of times I used to find myself dreaming about the book I had just finished. I was in the story along with the other characters who seemed to come to life. If I came across my favorite part I would watch it over and over again in the little t.v. I have in my head. While repeating the scene my endless dream gets interrupted by a little monster I'd like to call, my brother.

                   Soon, I would be able to read the book of my choice. Soon, I would know what happens in the next chapter. Soon, I just kept repeating all the possibilities because of the joy I have for reading.

Milestone Person

My Best Friend,

Margie

                   Margie was just another ordinary third grader. I never would have thought she would be my best friend, even today when I think about it. She didn't talk much, until we sat at the same table. We said "hello" and started a conversation.

                    Two years later, in fifth grade we were still like chocolate and vanilla. Once I met her again we immediately started talking. During summer vacation she explained to me that she was going to move this year. The only thing in my mind was to cherish the moments I had with her. I knew that nothing could break us apart.

                     Everyday at recess we would talk and play. We wouldn't let the bad news get the best of us. Meandering across the blacktop, saying anything in our heads, we keep wishing these days would last forever. Every moment was precious.

               The dreadful day finally came. A day which I will always remember. I saw her slowly walking out the school doors. " Good bye," I told her. She was speechless, almost about to cry. I hugged her, then she left. Not a day goes by that I don't miss being with her.

Milestone Object

My Patrol Belt

                     When I was ten I was picked to be a patrol. We were recognized by a bright, green belt we wore. It had the words, safety patrol, on it and a badge. I couldn't wait to put on the bright, new belt that was about to be mine. Once the belt was wrapped around me, perfect size, it felt like this wasn't real.

                      When I was in kindergarten I knew my desire was to be a patrol and that dream came true. I felt the smooth, shiny badge and knew this was reality. It was finally my turn to be one.

                       I had to try many different posts before I was chosen to do the announcements. My heart was pumping, sweat was rolling down my forehead, but I did it! My new responsibility was going to be with me till the last day of school. Breath in, breath out I told myself. My mind just wasn't getting this fact in my head, but I knew it was true. It had to be. I was finally a fifth grader and a patrol. My dream was what I was living. I couldn't have been more happier that day when I got my brand new patrol belt.

                        From that day on I knew that if you work hard enough your dream can come true and anything is possible.