"The People's Power"
I have faith in people. In a world of skepticism and uncertainty, this conviction drives my actions and objectives, and defines me. I've witnessed people's strength and ability to come together in times of need, joy, and sadness. I understand that, in the end, humans seek a sense of belonging and community; so, while loneliness and rage will always remain, togetherness and bliss will as well. My deep trust in people derives from seeing the best in human qualities during the MS150 and during Hurricane Ike, and it motivates me to seek a profession in assisting others. Both of these incidents have given me the opportunity to witness humanity at its best, committing selfless acts of kindness.
I've been riding in the BPMS150 bike tour from Houston to Austin for the past four years. This 175-mile ride benefits the National MS Society, which funds medical research for multiple sclerosis and provides assistance to victims' families. I can tell you from personal experience that the ride is difficult; massive hills, headwinds, exhaustion, and physical aches are all present. Despite this, every year over 13,000 riders choose to subject their minds and bodies to two days of pain in order to aid those who deal with it on a daily basis. Over the course of four years, I've earned more than $8,000 for the MS Society, and I've never regretted any of the grueling preparation or the ride itself. Thousands of people, all with their hands on their handle bars and one foot poised on a pedal, make for one of the most inspiring sights I've ever seen at the starting line. Everyone, even my father, is willing to be exhausted for the sake of others. He was diagnosed with MS when I was four years old, and he is a constant source of encouragement for me. I watched him go blind in one eye and struggle with a body that wouldn't work properly. Every year, I take part in this ride in his honor.
Likewise, thirteen thousand others do. People's power will eventually enable my father to receive better medical treatment and, perhaps, to be cured. I was privileged to witness and participate in incredible human endeavors while writing this essay. Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc on Southeastern Texas, especially Houston and Galveston. Because so much of my extended family lives in Galveston, I was obliged to flee. My parents welcomed aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and pets into our home without reservation. This has always been my surroundings; our home is anyone's shelter, and our food is anyone's nourishment. Our entire family came together to brave the storm and console one another. My aunt's house had electricity before mine, so she was delighted to have us stay with her. Hundreds of University of Houston students handed out food and water to individuals devastated by Hurricane Harvey, displaying large-scale acts of compassion. People band together in times of need for safety and comfort. Discard the ideals of survival of the fittest in favor of community. People genuinely want to be close to one another.
In the future, I would like to work in public health. I enjoy studying science and math and would like to put my enthusiasm to good use for the benefit of a great number of people. Many people go without basic medical care, resulting in a substantial disparity in population health and quality of life. Even if this situation will never be totally fixed, I want to do everything I can to help. Humans can do a lot of good by doing modest things and working together. This is something I know because I believe in people and have witnessed them at their best.
