Introducing Izzy
Hey everyone! My name is Izzy and I’m from Boston, MA. I’m 17 years old and am going into my senior year of high school. My favorite classes are English and biology. I’m on my school’s cheerleading team and am also in our female a…
From Patient to Doctor
After the countless number of appointments and hours I have spent in hospital waiting rooms, I have decided that I want to be on the other end of that experience as a doctor. Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being…
From Putrid to Proud
The Charles River has been a popular tourist spot in Boston for years, decades, even centuries. But for most of its existence after Boston’s founding, the Charles River has been dangerous and polluted. Even after a large movement to clean the river helped clear out…
Ditching Homesickness
As recent grads are feverishly packing to move into their new college dorms, a common fear that unites them all is impending homesickness. Homesickness, or culture shock, is something nothing can prepare you for. The reason is that it’s almost impossible to pinpoint one thing…
Madeline’s Five Steps to Being Your Own Health Advocate
Meeting with your health care provider can be scary! In their sterile offices while dawning their crisp white coats and shiny stethoscopes, they can seem intimidating. As a teen, it’s easy to feel like your voice doesn’t matter when you’re conversing with someone older and…
The Price of Life
For many people, allergies only represent a mild seasonal annoyance. But 1 in 50 Americans experiences life-threatening allergic reactions. I’m one of them. I had thought that I was allergic to certain foods for years before I had taken any sort of allergy test. Once…
Learning through Tutoring
In school, there are certain things I like to think I’m good at: Chemistry, English, Math, etc. But believe me, Latin is not one of them. If I had a penny for every time I got my ablatives mixed with my datives or my passives…
Invisible Disabilities DO Exist
Once upon an average high school day, I was in the elevator on my way to class. At the elevators second stop, I noticed a teacher step in. As the elevator door closed, I realized that he was looking at me. I tried to be…
If you can do it, so can I
Imagine waking up and being congratulated for drinking your morning coffee. Sounds weird right? Well this is something that has become all too familiar for people with disabilities. Recently, I watched Stella Young’s TED Talk in which she reflects on how disabled people are objectified…
The Balloon Lockdown
“Attention all students and faculty, the school is now entering safe mode due to an external threat.” My heart drops. Surely this is has to be a drill. My only choice is to swallow fear, follow orders, and proceed to the nearest classroom. Rumors fly….