Ben Carson was born on September 18, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. Ben lived with both his parents and his older bother. Unfortunately, when Carson was only eight years old his parents divorced. Carson and his family were severely affected by this life changing event. With only a third grade education, Ben's mother, struggled to raise her two children on her own by working three jobs at a time. Ben's mother played a very significant role in Carson's life and inspired him to become the person he is today. After reading the book, Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, I have learned many positive lessons. Ben Carson taught me to never to give up, to always believe in myself, and that anything is possible.
Ben Carson taught me never to consider quitting on anything that I strive myself to do. Ben was often teased at school by the other kids whom would put him down by calling him names and making fun of him. Nonetheless, that never stopped Ben from achieving his goals and purpose. I have learned from Ben that I can do anything I want and what people say or think of me is not important. For example, after graduating from high school I knew I wanted to go to college. During my high school years I did not do so well in academics and would often get into a lot of trouble. My father did not believe in me and said I was too dumb to get through one semester of College. Instead of putting me down, my father's words were of extreme encouragement to me because I wanted to prove him wrong. My father's words didn't stop me from going to College and now not only did I did get threw one semester of College but I also have a 3.5 grade point average. Sadly, my father was not alone. Many of my peers in high school did not like me and would put me down by telling me I was never going to go anywhere in life and that I would never get good grades. Surprisingly, I proved them wrong because I am a great student in College with only A's and B's. Thanks to Ben the only thing that I quit is giving up and limiting myself. Now I do anything it takes to get what I want. For instance, this semester I had a really tough Professor that was very strict when it came to spelling. I have never been a great speller but I had to find a way to learn how to spell difficult medical terms and pass the class with an A. I would write each word twenty times each and if I still could not spell one, I would start over and write the words thirty more times. It was very difficult for me because many times I would stay up until two in the morning writing the words. But it later paid off because I learned how to spell the words and got an A in the class. Sacrifice plays a huge part in my education. I have lost all my friends from high school because I never have time to talk to them or hang out with them because of the fact that I am always spending most of my time studying. Nevertheless, I am willing to do anything it takes to get my degree in Nursing. Carson also taught me that no matter how tough life gets for me I should never give up my dream. For instance, my car broke down at the beginning of the semester; I did not have transportation to school. I would wake up at four thirty in the morning to catch the bus at five thirty to be in school at seven. It was tough for me because there were some nights that I would stay up late studying and I would only get three hours of sleep. Recently I had to quit my job because of school. I manage to survive with only twenty dollars a week that my mother gives me. The fact that I don't have enough money is not stopping me from quitting school.
Most importantly Ben Carson taught me always to believe in myself. Throughout his life time Ben knew that one day he would become a doctor. I use to doubt myself in many things but after learning about Carson life, it changed my way of thinking. For instance, I graduated from high school and went into college not knowing what major I wanted to go into. When I thought about going into the medical field I would doubt myself that I was not going to be able to do it. After reading this book I began to believe in myself, I thought to myself that if Carson became a doctor why can't I become a Nurse. My major now is nursing and I know that one day I will become a nurse. In addition, when I would take a test I would doubt myself by thinking that I didn't do well. Ben has inspired me to think positive about myself and to believe that I can do anything that I want. He also encouraged me to believe in God and that God is always going to help me. For example, I had a ruff time getting through a break up of three year. I was truly devastated and depressed. It was really difficult for me to concentrate in school and sleep at night. Carson would always turn to God=2 0when he had an issue and God would lend him a helping hand. I would pray to God every night to help me overcome this obstacle. Indeed God did not turn me down just as he never did to Ben. I have become more spiritual after reading this amazing book and I now believe that God is leading me to the path to success.
Another lesson that I learned from Ben is that anything is possible and I can have or accomplish anything I put my mind to. Carson could not read or write and was struggling in school but despite his disadvantages of not knowing how to read and write he still graduated with honors. For example, at the beginning of the semester I was having a hard time in my math class. I was about to drop the class but when my English teacher told us to read a book and write an essay on the book my life changed. After reading about Ben life and how he struggled in school but never gave up, made me change my way of thinking about dropping my math class. I began to go to math lab and tutoring and my grades improved enormously. Surprisingly, my hard work paid off and I passed the class with an A. I was never infatuated about reading. However, after reading Gifted Hands I started enjoying reading and it inspired me to read more. I improved my reading skills after reading this amazing book. Ben's passion was to become a doctor; sadly Carson came from a low income family and could not afford to go to medical school. He has taught me that there are many opportunity to help me reach my goal. For instance, similar to Ben I come from a low income family and could not afford to pay for college but I kept looking for alternatives and I discovered financial aid, which provides funds for my tuition. In addition I have applied for many scholarships and I was granted money towards my education. Carson saved lives that other doctors lost hope for. Carson directed me to the path of hope in any situation. For instance, my grandfather was really ill and doctors lost hope for him and said he wouldn't make it. I didn't let the doctor opinion steal my hope for my grandfather recovery. Unanticipated my grandfather fully recovered from his illness. Also my brother got into a bad car accident and was in a coma. Many believed that he would never wake up from his coma; I never gave up on him. I would go and visit him in his hospital bed every day and speak to him everyday. I never lost hope for him, after two months he woke up from his coma.
Gifted Hands has truly an inspired me and has taught me many positive things about life. By reading Gifted Hands it has increased my self esteem and has made me believe in myself. I know that anything is possible and that I can do whatever I set my mind to as long as I persevere. Ben Carson has helped me become an overall better person, and has taught me that I hold the keys to my future.