We Cannot Go Through Life Without Help

This I Believe

By Roxie Chambers

I never wanted to be a nuisance to anybody, so I usually kept to myself when I had struggles. If there was something I could not do myself, it was something that didn’t need to be done. I had no trouble with helping others, I simply didn’t feel that others should take time out of their day to help me.

In the summer of 2013, I had to have foot surgery because of a genetic issue. I would be bedridden for three weeks, but I was looking forward to the idleness. Obviously my mind did not register the fact that I wouldn’t be able to fully take care of myself. The realization of how helpless I had become didn’t dawn on me until the day after surgery.

The pain of my foot grew, and I found myself in need of many things, such as pain pills, food, and water. I would never ask for any of them, my mom would automatically bring them to me. Although I didn’t like the fact that my mom was helping me so much, I compromised with myself saying that as long as I didn’t ask for help, I wasn’t a nuisance.

As the days went by, I found my younger brother would check on me almost hourly. It was hard for me to believe he felt the need to do that. Didn’t he know I wouldn’t ask him for help? Apparently he did, because he eventually stopped asking and would silently check to make sure I had the necessities, then leave the room.

My mom had acquired a routine to bring my pills to me every four hours. But the one day when my mom didn’t come into my room with my pills, gone because she had gone shopping, I hardly noticed that the system broke.  As the time passed, my pain grew fast. I could no longer hold in my tears as I could only think of one solution.

I imagined before what a horrible feeling it would be to surrender and ask for help. My pride would shatter, and I would officially become a helpless nuisance. But as I called my brother’s name, I felt a burden lifted from my shoulders. My brother came bounding up the stairs to my room, eager to help me with my need. I realized as he was helping me that he didn’t think of me as an inconvenience, so there was really no reason to refrain from asking for help anymore.

My brother’s kindness helped me get over my ignorant fear of asking others for help. I’ve observed that I couldn’t have gotten through that trial without the help of my mom, brother, and other family members. As I go through my life, I now eagerly accept the help of others. I am also enthusiastic when helping others, knowing that we all need support. This I believe, we cannot go through life without help.