<p>Startling Paralysis:</p>
<pre><code>I am completely paralyzed and live to fill the void that it creates. I want only to touch upon what Im missing, to walk upon my own two feet, so I can tear away the wall that is blocking me from prosperity. All I want is my independence.
I sit patiently at the bus stop, waiting
and waiting. What I dont notice is that I drift off into a world that is surreal in nature. I see my mother. I see myself. The perplexity of the situation only gets worse as the image of both of us becomes severely distorted. I try to eradicate these distortions, but they only get worse until finally the image is but a palette of jumbled colors. Then it all goes black. I cant moveI am paralyzed.
But it wasnt this image that made me paralyzed. In fact, it was an affliction I suffered from as a consequence to my mothers drug addiction that I enabled. Like paralysis, it is the condition of not being able to control any voluntary movements. I had no power over who I was, and this realization is what caused me to cease my enabling behavior. I was paralyzed because I was blind to my mothers neglect, and just accepted the crippling blows as they came until my body no longer felt any amount of pain or pleasure: the numbness only grew.
The bus arrived just as I snapped back into reality from this mere delusion. I felt a bit apprehensive getting on the bus from what I had just experienced, but the bus ride only furthered my drive to gain control of my body. My body unexpectedly began to fill with life, and one part after the next began to flutter with excitement as I expressed my new found dominance and independence over myself.
This learned confidence brought me farther than I ever imagined. With it Im able to devote my time to something that I truly treasuremy education. Not only am I focused on transcending the requirements within my studies, but I also strive to demonstrate public servitude within my community. Not being able to move in the past has hindered me from even thinking of doing such things, but now that it was possible only the sky was the limit. Not only was I aspiring to do many great things, but my ambitious attitude acted as a contagion; always rubbing off onto those around me.
Through this pivotal experience, the self-induced paralysis I allowed vanished. My mother, who once bolstered this idea through neglect, only inspired me to prosper no matter how difficult the challenge. Although she is now clean and sober, the optimism I have acquired from this humbling occurrence allows me to excel in all aspects of my life, and proves to me that a normal life is attainable. I now believe that although one may suffer from paralysis, it is possible to regain control as I did. I live to set the example that although prosperity may seem out of reach, through a great deal of effort you too can stand on your very own two feet. Without independence we are merely slaves to our own bodies; paralyzed and hopeless.
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