People Who Inspire

Everyone has someone that they are inspired by or aspire to be in life. To some, it could be someone who helped them through a rough patch in their life or someone you feel you connected with. You hear of artists portraying hardships in their life into their songs, ultimately relating to the audience and forming a deeper connection. In my life, I was inspired by my school nurse. My school nurse has been with me since 6th grade and will be up until my last day of high school next year. She works her butt off in our school and is not only a school nurse but a friend, a mother, a wife, a therapist, and family to many. Our first encounter was when I was in 6th grade and I had been having anxiety attacks almost every day. She helped me by comforting me, finding ways to calm down, and helping me find ways to cope. Throughout my battle with Crohn's disease, she helped me stay positive and would always lend me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it most. She was essentially my school mother if you want to call it that and I am very thankful for that. In my wellness class, we were asked to write a letter to one teacher who inspired us or who has helped us in life. The purpose was to show these teachers and adults how they have positively impacted us and to show them that we have recognized all their hard work and dedication. I decided to write a letter and email it to my school nurse. This is the letter:

Dear (school nurse), 

I sincerely wanted to thank you for all the help you have provided for me since 6th grade. It all started in the beginning of 6th grade when I would always be in your office with minor anxiety attacks in 1st period science. You would always let me sit in your office and over the years we found ways to help me cope with my anxiety. Not only did you do this but you also were my number one supporter when I got diagnosed. That entire journey was absolutely horrible in many ways, but you never lost hope. You always told us that we will be okay. You helped me give myself my medication through my PICC line, let me store food in there, and let me sit there on days that were tough. To me and to everyone else in the school you are more than just a school nurse, you are family. Everyone feels the warmth as soon as they walk in your office and just see that welcoming smile eager to help us in any case necessary. Not only have you helped me tremendously before my diagnosis and during, but you also helped tremendously after my diagnosis too. I will never forget when I had to drink that solution for the colonoscopy and you popped up on facetime ready to drink with me. I was so glad and happy to see that you were a part in that. I just wanted to say thank you so much and that without you I don’t know where a lot of us in the school would be. You are a nurse, therapist, and friend all rolled into one. Thank you so much for everything you have done! <3

Sincerely, 

Kelsey Parodi

I want everyone to take this opportunity as we are all trapped in our homes to write something sweet to someone who inspires you. No one is out of reach and you never know how it could change someone's day for the better. It can be someone close to you or someone such as a celebrity. Reach for the stars and DM a celebrity on Instagram and tell them how they have inspired you whether it's through their music or their past story. Change someone's day for the better and spread all the positivity you can because right now we all need something to make us smile :)