Emma Storkersen

Mrs. Scharf

APEL period 1

December 7th, 2018

Adversity (original)

As human beings, we grow and evolve personally and intellectually from the experiences

that we receive throughout our lifetime. The common phrase, “with triumph always comes

tribulations” is a perfect way to explain how during the duration of our lives we will experience

great successes but we will also face difficult hardships. Although positive outcomes play a role

in shaping who an individual is, adversity plays an even larger and more significant role in the

growth of human character. Adversity -though it may seem only cynical at the time- is one of the

most influential factors in the development of personal character.

Medical and health problems are sadly extremely common in our society despite such

advanced medical technology, and most if not every person has had to deal with the detrimental

effects of either themeselves or a loved one being extremely sick. My father was diagnosed with

kidney cancer about 2 years ago after living a healthy cancer-free life up until this point. Ever

since I was young my father had been one of the most positive and influential figures in my life,

and when he was diagnosed I figured that would most likely change. But instead of allowing the

possible tragic outcomes get to his head, he made the decision to continue to look at his life with

positivity and to enjoy every second of everyday with his family and friends. Through the cancer

and the recovery he remained strong, stronger than his sickness and when he eventually was

announced cancer free he came out of the entire journey mentally healthier, mentally more
powerful and overall happier than he was before. In addition, Aimee Mullins a famous actress,

model and athelte was diagnosed with a disease early in her life that called for the amputation of

both of her leg limbs. Mullins is now a prosperous actress, fashion model and an athlete. What

many people would call impossible, she acheived. Aimee Mullins is a world renowed athlete,

despite the loss of two of her limbs. Disease or any type of medical issues may more than often

seem like a block on our road to success, however, it does not have to be. These struggles of

medical adversity only make the ones affected by it stronger and more powerful, which builds on

and developes their character.

Financial difficulties may be among the most prevelent forms of adversity people

worldwide struggle with. J.K. Rowling, world renowed author of the Harry Potter series is one

of the most talented and prosperious authors in the modern world. However, she did not start out

this way. Before J.K. became the talented and respected writer she is today, she lived in

Edinburgh, Scotland with her daughter in a small apartment. She battled extreme financial

problems, she was described as basically penniless and she suffered from severe depression. She

had a vision for herself -to become an author- and she eventually climbed out of the dark times

she was submerged in and into great successes. The hardships Rowling dealt with in her earlier

years played a major role in the achievements she has today and overall developing her character.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States was a highly respected and successful

democratic president in the 1970s and early 1980s. In his childhood, Jimmy Carter grew up in a

small town in Georgia, his father was a poor peanut farmer and he was one of many children

born into a family experiencing financial adversity. At a very young age Carter began growing

his own peanuts and walking a long distance of many miles into town to sell them. Eventually,
he grew and created a prosperious business and became even more successful than his father.

Jimmy Carter’s determination and motivation as a child being born into a poor and struggling

family enabled him to grow into an extremely successful man and eventually, The President of

the United States. Financial difficulties create many hardships for the ones forced to endure

them, and most of the time the situations seem helpless. However, adversity - especially financial

- often stands as a form of motivation and as a goal of becoming something more than you

currently are.

Unfortunately, today we live in a society were tragic events happen on a daily basis and

we are sometimes not even suprised to see a news headline of another deadly accident, another

shooting or another terrorist attack. But, from the hardships and adversity that comes from these

tragic occurences, hope thrives and change often is born. For example, Candy Lightner is the

founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a gigantic non profit organization dedicated to

putting an end towards drunk driving and helping the victims of it. Before becoming the founder

of MADD, Lightner underwent more tragedy than one person may experience in a life time.

When her daughter was only 18 months old, she was rear ended. Later on, her son was ran over

by a drunk driver, put into a coma, broke several bones and suffered permanent brain damage.

And lastly, her daughter was hit by a drunk driver at age 13 and killed. Candy Lightener, out of

this heart breaking and difficult hardships created an organization demanding change and action.

She spread awareness for the cause and MADD has helped several victims of drunk driving.

Earlier in February of 2018, a mass shooting at a school in Parkland, FL killed 17 students,

teachers and administration and wounded 17 others. The students from the Parkland shooting,

got together and decided that it was time for action to be taken for the severe gun problem
America faces. This group of Parkland students formed March For Our Lives, an organization

dedicated to fighting for gun control in the US. Their motivation was felt across the nation and

protests were held in March in every state. In Washington DC, over 1 million people attended

and in NYC over 200,000. In the wake of March For Our Lives, many large companies cut their

ties with the NRA ( National Rifle Assocation ) and began pushing for gun control. From these

tragic events, people have taken the adversity they’ve experienced and pushed for change for all

people. From Candy Lightener to the kids in Parkland, Florida and the many others who have

advocated for change in the light of an event they experienced, the adversity they endured is

what ultimately made them decide that what they underwent should not be a common occurance

in the lives of Americans.

Adversity and the difficulties that come along with it often seem like a dark tunnel with

no light at the end. People can allow these hardships to become them and rule their lives, or they

can take the pain they’ve suffered and create something new, make change, and become a better

person. Adversity, whether it be financial, health wise, or from a tragic event plays an incredibly

influential role in developing a person’s character and shaping who they are as an individual.
Emma Storkersen
Mrs. Wold
ERWC period 2
14 March 2021
SPEP: “Adversity Essay” Rewrite

As humans, we are defined by the experiences we undergo during our lifetimes. While

positive experiences are essential, the hardships faced by individuals tend to facilitate growth and

shape the values of a person. The development of human character is formed when one

experiences adversity. Adversity, whether it be financial, physical, or mental provides us with an

opportunity to evolve and learn about who we are and what is important to us.

Perhaps one of the most common forms of adversity shared by millions of people is

medical problems. Both physical and mental diseases have taken a toll on almost every

individual. The process of dealing with a medical issue, whether you are the patient or a loved

one is, can be extremely difficult to undergo. When I was in the 8th grade I watched as my father

was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had to endure not only physical pain that came from

surgeries and recovery but also the struggles it placed on him mentally. In a matter of months, he

went from one of the most optimistic people I knew into depression. As he slowly moved

through his recovery his outlook on life changed drastically. By the time he was announced

cancer-free, he had developed a mentality that allowed him to value his time more. The struggles

he underwent made him a mentally stronger individual with a deeper appreciation for existence.

Just as my father grew from his adversity, actress-model-athlete Aimee Mullins did the same

when she lost both of her legs early in her life. Losing both of one’s limbs is a traumatic

experience that seriously alters a persons life. While sinking it to a depressive state is easy to do,

Aimee decided to flourish, becoming an actress, model, and a world-renowed athlete. Adversity
that comes from illness is a chance to redefine your values and develop a better understanding of

yourself.

Naturally, money influences all aspects of our society, making financial difficulties

something that a disturbing number of people have to worry about. J.K Rowling, author of the

Harry Potter series is now regarded as one of the most influential and successful modern day

writers. Prior to her triumphant writing career, Rowling was penniless and dealing with severe

depression. While experiencing financial problems, she decided to pursue something that she

loved, writing. Her efforts, powered by the financial adversity she had experienced, allowed her

to become a prosperous writer who’s work would be praised worldwide. Another significant

figure who’s personal financial adversity lead them to great successes was 39th president Jimmy

Carter. Jimmy Carter was born into a family already dealing with financial issues. Carter at a

young age began his own peanut business and would walk several miles to sell them to

townspeople. As time progressed, Carter became even more successful than his father who had

been growing peanuts for years. Just like Rowlings, Carter’s success was not handed to him. His

success was built from years of experiencing the struggles that arise from unstable finances.

Adversity in regards to money is probably one of the most common forms of adversity shared

amongst the general public. Financial adversity can often foster motivation and the goal of

becoming greater than you currently are.

Tragic events occur around the world so often that a solemn news headline is not a

surprise anymore. Often times what follows these tragic occurences, such as shootings or

terrorist attacks, is the rebirth of hope and a drive to create some sort of change. A prime

example of turning adversity into change is the woman Cindy Lightner, founder of Mothers
Against Drunk Driving. Lightner had three children affected by drunk driving. Her son was put

into a coma by a drunk driver while her 13 year old daughter was killed. Cindy Lightner used her

adversity to form MADD and fight to end drunk driving and in the process assist it’s victims.

Similarly, after the mass school shooting that took 17 lives in Parkland, Florida, a group of

students formed March For Our Lives, an organization dedicated to fighting for gun control in

the US. The voices of the Parkland students were felt nationwide as protests in all 50 states were

held in solidarity. Their efforts lead to many large companies severing their ties with The

National Rifle Association. Additionally, the topic of gun control became more widely spoken

about. What Cindy Lightner and the Parkland students have in common is that they took the

adversity they had to experience and turned it into actions that would create meaningful change

and help people nationwide.

It is easy to allow adversity to push us into despair and sorrow, however, adversity gives

humans the power to grow. Adversity paves the way for betterment. Whether it is creating

change, redefining your values, or learning more about yourself, adversity influences the human

character and is the key component in evolving.

 Reflection

My improvement in the rewrite came primarily from my change in writing style. On my

original paper from 10th grade, my writing did not flow well and I included a lot of unnecessary

detail and wording. In some areas of the paper, I dragged on about a topic for almost an entire

paragraph that could have been more effectively summed up in 3 sentences. A big issue I saw

was academic “rambling” throughout the paper. For instance, I would repeat the same thing or

add a ton of details to make the essay seem more extensive. However, this only made the essay

harder to read and repetitive. As I rewrote the essay I kept all of these things in mind. I focused

on being more concise and only writing information that developed the essay more. I tried to

condense my adversity “evidence” into fewer sentences so I could include more commentary. As

I went back and rewrote the essay I also focused on my diction. I tried to use a wider range of

words and more effective transition phrases. These phrases helped my writing flow more, which

was a huge improvement from the original.