What is on the Inside

As I look at my life, and how I was shaped to be the person I am, many different aspects of my life have come into view. One major part of my life, which has caused me some grief and agony, along with some memories that will last forever, is the fact that I was born with HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopothy). HCM is a type of heart disease, which I inherited from my mother.

When I was younger, I did not know that I had the disease. I was like every other boy, as seen by the outside, who played sports and did many other activities with my friends. Over time, with a set of many different tests, it was found that I have the disease. Afterward, my life changed from one of joy to one of grief and agony. Afterward, I was unable to continue to play the physical sports, and many of the things that I had gotten used to doing.

Why I say this is because it is a major part of my life. This disease has taken a lot from me and my family, but along with what it has taken, it has given back. It's darkest before it becomes light. With this disease, I have learned what I can do and what I can't. One wrong step, and I could go into Atypical Tachycardia. This has lead me to live my life day by day, and see what I am looking at through a different set of eyes.

For anybody who has had a major risk of dying, you will know what I am talking about. Everyone has hard times, and everyone has good times. It is what you choose to do with the times in between that makes who you are. I live my life day by day, never knowing what the next moment has in store.