Life Without Training wheels

By Hannah

“Hannah, it’s time for dinner,” my mom said to me, as I was almost in tears, laying on the ground in my front yard. But I wasn’t eating dinner that night - I had much bigger plans. When I was about five years old, I looked out my front window to find a boy about my age riding his bike without training wheels.

Moments after finding out he was, in fact, my age, I insisted my mom unscrew the training wheels on my bike because I wasn’t going to let a boy “out-do” me at anything. I spent the entire day in my front yard, crashing and falling over and over again. I refused to give up. 

My parents always tell me that I’m a silent competitor. I grew up with three brothers. A majority of the time, you could probably find us at Clague Park playing British bulldog, whiffle ball or wrestling. Internally, I always wanted to keep up, and to prove I was strong enough - if I couldn’t, I was going to die trying.

Ever since I was a young girl, the morals and values that were instilled in me have shown me that, no matter what path I choose in life, my family and God will always be there to support me. My parents sent me to an all-girls Catholic school in West Park, where I was surrounded by strong women. While there, I was surrounded by a diverse group of girls who challenged me to always be my best. It was an expectation at this school that you set your goals high. Throughout all the challenges I faced, I knew I always had people cheering me on. 

While getting my Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, I crossed paths with a counselor who wasn’t too encouraging. I remember sitting in her office, and her questioning whether I was going to be a competent nurse.

This just added fuel to my fire. I don’t remember saying much to her after that, but I did graduate with my nursing degree in four years.

I then got hired into a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, and here I am, three years after graduation, with my Bachelor’s Degree, back for more, as I’m going to get my Master’s in nursing to be a Family Nurse Practitioner.

There were many situations where I could have turned around and walked away, said “I’m done” or settled, But I wasn’t going to let anyone prevent me from achieving the goals I had set for myself. I didn’t let things bother me, as I proved to everyone and, most importantly, myself, that I can. I never looked for an excuse, and I refused to get in my own way. I always knew that my actions were going to speak louder than words. I don’t need to tell the world who I am or who I will be, I will show them. I wake up every morning, unscrew my training wheels and ride away.