October 24, 2002: by day’s end my life was changed forever.

   After my seventh birthday, my parents told me that my older brother Nolan had died of a brain tumor. My brother’s long term battle was one he knew he could never win. My life at the time revolved around prayers from friends and family and constant trips to UCSF with my mother for Nolan’s chemotherapy treatments. We drove down daily for his scheduled visits in effort to try and beat the brain tumor. My family’s hardship was palpable, especially for my mom. Seeing my brother lose all mobility on the left side of his body and basically become paralyzed from the neck down, is a sight I still try to erase from my memory, and still haven't.

   Although I wish this never happened, I know it made me into the person I am today. I became a more humble person, but at the same time I became stronger. I learned many characteristics from Nolan while he was suffering each day, but the most important thing I learned from him was to never quit. I can remember coming downstairs one morning and hearing my brother Nolan ask, “What are we going to do today?” Hearing a ten year old child who is paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair be so optimistic about each day is something I will never forget. He taught me that no matter how you look or how you feel; you should still make the most out of each day. The most memorable thing that Nolan said during the months he spent fighting for his life was to my parents about going back to school. My parents brought up all the obvious remarks people will say to Nolan such as “look he’s in a wheelchair” or “he has lost his hair” and even told him that they would notice all of the weight he had gained. Nolan’s reaction to my parents was, “I'm still Nolan aren't I?” so who cares what I look like. From that day on, Nolan and our entire family realized that everything didn’t have to change; we can still be our normal family and just because Nolan is in a wheelchair now and struggling every day doesn't mean he has to stop living his life.

   Now, I apply for college and venture away from my friends and family to start a new life, I sit and reflect on everything Nolan has taught me. Even though I would do anything to change the outcome of my brother’s life; his presence changed my life forever. He has been the driving force behind my academic success, to try my best, and to conquer the obstacles that lay in front of me. The lessons that I have taken away from watching my brother, I am confident that I will continue to become a successful young man in all aspects of my life. I have learned a great deal of perseverance from watching my brother get diagnosed with cancer, fight valiantly, and then ultimately throw in the towel. He knew from the start that he was certain to die from this awful disease and he could have easily taken the easy road and lay in bed all day, but instead he spent each day teaching me and my family lessons on how to succeed, how to try our best, how to never give up, how to love, how to grow closer, and how to accomplish our dreams. I owe so much to my brother Nolan because without him I don’t know that I would have worked so hard in school, become the son, brother, and friend that I am today, or have practiced endlessly to become an athlete with passion and desire for success. It is clear that Nolan without question couldn’t have changed my life in a better way.