The document discusses facing adversity. The author notes that people often face difficulties in life. The author helped care for a child named Teighten who has Down syndrome, which showed her that having challenges does not make a person less worthwhile. Through therapies and exercises, Teighten has made progress in his development, though he still experiences fits and difficulties communicating at times. The author feels a connection with Teighten and finds it hard to be away at college, unable to help with his growth. In conclusion, the document states that everyone experiences adversity and can learn life lessons from such challenges that make them not only stronger themselves but able to help others as well.

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Runninghead:FacingAdversity
Cassandra Rutledge
Facing Adversity
University of Northern Iowa

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FacingAdversity
Often in the world today people face adversity in many different ways. Throughout high
school I have plenty of difficult situations I have had to get through. These situations may be
small compared to others, but they have opened my eyes to see the world is not an easy place to
live in.
I never knew how adversity could change someone’s life until my mom, who is a daycare
provider, got a child that had Down’s syndrome. Seeing all of the challenges Teighten goes
through makes me feel like being average is not all that bad. Even through all his challenges he
still makes me smile. Teighten has come so far since the beginning, he is able to have a
conversation with others. He is an extremely happy boy that has taken each challenge one step at
a time.
I see it through his eyes and feel like I have helped overcome by learning how to help a
Down’s syndrome child be able to advance in learning and having an easier transition into life.
The techniques that are used for Teighten are physical therapy and other types of therapy. A
therapist comes in and helps me and my mom do different tasks that can help Teighten’s physical
and mental disadvantages. Some of the exercises were simply through a beanie baggie into a
hoop, while others were teaching him the wheels on the bus. These tasks are difficult because if
Teighten is not in the mood to do anything he will not do it.
The most adverse part about helping out with Teighten is not really knowing why he is
upset or others things. He can all of a sudden through a fit for no reason and I would be confused
on what is wrong. Now that Teighten is four it is a lot easier to understand what he wants
because he has learned how to sign and say certain words to indicate what it is that he wants. I
feel like I have this connection with Teighten now since I am one of the only people that can

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calm him down from a fit. Now that I am in college I often call home just so I can talk to him
over the phone. This in itself is adversity because it is difficult for me to not be able to help out
with his growth, and be there for him when he needs me.
Everyone goes through adversity at some point in their lives. While going through
adversity one can be taught a lesson about life. Hopefully one will take this lesson and make life
better not only for themselves, but for others as well.