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Keeping the Momentum in Life

Momentum is a passionate drive or irresistible power to accomplish a goal that will ensure that I have a better future. It represents the present and a glimpse into what my future could hold. I must stay strong and exhibit consistency in my writing to keep the momentum in life. My dream is to become a professional writer. When I broke my neck in April 1987, I was also pregnant with my first and only child. I was only 14 and too young to really be a parent, or so I thought. Yet I never gave up hope and, with Gods help, raised a beautiful baby girl.

Unfortunately, when in my first trimester, I was hit on the back of the head with a 2x4 piece of wood by a girl who wanted to fight me. She was a bully, but when she tried to fight, I walked away because I knew I was pregnant; then she ran up and hit me in the back of the head, then ran away. When I got to the hospital, the doctors told me that I had a broken neck. They also said that since I was in my first trimester, they could not do the surgery until I was in my second trimester. In addition, the doctor told me they were going to put me in a Halo brace to keep me from moving my neck.

Finally, the day came and I would be having my surgery. Unfortunately, I had become very anemic and needed a blood transfusion. I received two pints of blood products that day. About a month later, I was told that I needed to be tested for HIV. The hospital had received a bad batch of blood products infected with the HIV virus. I was tested, and I had, indeed, received one of the contaminated pints of blood. Very little was known about the disease in 1987, and they told me my daughter and I probably would not live to see our 18th birthdays. They were right about my daughter; she passed on January 26, 2000. She was only 12 years old. However, she fought as long, as hard a battle as possible.

Instead of giving up after her death, I decided that I needed to tell my story so that others could benefit from my tragedy. I felt that I could be a positive role model to society and that my story would inspire others to do better and give them the courage to overcome any obstacle that life throws in their path. I accepted that becoming a professional writer meant that I would have to be able to deal with rejection and criticism while keeping my dignity and determination. I knew that the ability to keep moving forward despite rejection distinguishes a professional writer from an amateur one. Being a professional writer means putting in a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. I know that I need to set goals and carry them out. I know that I must keep a positive attitude, be organized, set and complete goals, and work hard at achieving my dream career. As long as I stay focused, show perseverance, and strive for success, I know I will achieve my goals in life. That is how I am keeping the momentum in life!