Gabriel Vicencio

Mrs. Cybulski

Interdisciplinary Studies

9 September 2019

Miguel’s Impact

On December 30th, 1995, at St. John Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, Janette and Michael

Vicencio had their first son. Janette went through an excruciating 2 weeks of pre-eclampsia

before giving birth 14 weeks early to Miguel Jovencio Vicencio, who weighed in at a mere one

pound and eleven ounces. Janette spent a week in intensive care, and Miguel spent 96 days in the

neonatal intensive care unit due to his prematurity. Throughout his early years, he was behind in

his developmental milestones. In the spring of 1999, at the age of three, Miguel was diagnosed

with autism. Seven years later, at the same hospital, I was born to Michael and Janette Vicencio.

The seven-year gap was due to my parents’ fear of the experience recurring with my birth, but

when I got here, my parents were ecstatic as well as thankful because I provided them with a

different experience when it came to raising a child.

As I grew up, I had a different experience compared to other kids my age because

although I was a younger sibling, I felt I had to be the older brother to Miguel. As I grew older, I

wanted to be more involved in his life. This experience of helping my brother has showed me

how to be more in tune with other people’s needs, especially those who might not have the lives

they wished for. It has inspired me to take part in programs at my church that help the less

fortunate. As well as these programs, I’ve been involved in numerous sports teams and Miguel

has always been my biggest fan. In the summers I play baseball for the Warren Village Athletics

Club. Even at games when it’s ninety degrees, I look into the crowd and always see Miguel
smiling at me to let me know he’s happy to be there. My teammates always make an effort to go

talk to him and make him feel welcome as if he’s a part of the team.

Miguel has always inspired me to push on through my hardships. Although he doesn’t

have enough ability to show the emotions he feels, he makes it clear that he is still the happiest

twenty-four-year-old on the planet. Thinking about this helps me push on through the obstacles I

face because thinking about Miguel puts my struggles into perspective. Assisting my parents in

taking care of Miguel has never been a chore for me. I’ve always seen it as a privilege to know

and help Miguel in his day to day life, and I’ve learned more lessons from him than I have in all

my years of grade school. My experience with Miguel has been very important to me, and I

wouldn’t trade him for anything the world could offer.

I’ve learned that I interpret situations different from other kids due to my experience with

Miguel. I am always conscious about what people’s situations might be and that helps me get

more in tune with how I might be able to help them. I view that as a valuable trait of mine.

Miguel inspired me to be a part of Peer to Peer, a program at my school where I help students

with mental disabilities monthly. I love playing games with them and spending time with them

more than anything else I’ve taken part in at Cousino. I look forward to using this experience

with the Peer to Peer kids and Miguel to assist me in helping others on my college campus.