July 20, 2010, Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Journal~

Johnathon Sandusky here.  Thought I'd write to share the good news with y'all!

In September, I will start school.  I will be attending the University of Tennessee.  It is a huge step for me because I never thought I would ever reach this pinnacle in my life.  (When I was born, I was basically given a death sentence after I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy:  I wasn't expected to live to the age of five.  I will be eighteen years old in just a little over five months from now.)

Personally, I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life (or whatever is left of it).  I think I am going to take a few classes:  English/Creative Writing, Introduction To Meteorological Studies, and maybe Sign Language Interpretation.  I would like to focus either on Meteorology or Writing.  I want to be either a weather forecaster/professional storm chaser/videographer or a writer.  I will have sign language to fall back on in case my weather or my writing career don't take off as much as I would like it to.

I know I will probably have to have an aide with me to help me navigate my classes or take my notes if I am feeling weak, but that's okay.  I can handle it.  I will also have my trusty Golden, "Ginger", with me, who will act as my arms and legs, in case I drop something or end up in some other sort of trouble.  I am not facing this New Adventure alone!  No, siree!

I am excited about attending college, but on the other hand, I am plenty nervous, too.  I don't know if the other students will like me because of my obvious physical difficulties, and I don't know if I will be able to handle the workload required.  This is why I am taking only a few courses, just to get a "feel for things".  If I can do it, great; if not, oh, well ... at least I gave it my best shot!

Rebekkah Cohen, my girlfriend, was the one who talked me into going into college.  She said that there would be more opportunities for employment if I had a college degree (or if not that, at least some schooling underneath my belt).  She said I am very smart, and she thinks I would benefit, as does my family.

So I am going to try it.

I will now have a new goal in mind (actually, several):  finish my courses and get my assignments/papers done on time (or as close to it as possible).  Focus on God, even if everyone else around me is partying or getting blottoed (not that I am thinking of doing it, mind you, of which I am not!!).  And most important of all, graduate and get my college degree. 

It will take at least two-to-four years for me to complete my schooling, so I won't be through with college until I am 20/21/22 years old. *Sighh*  (There goes my social life ...)

I just hope I can make it through college without losing my sanity!! 

I am suddenly very scared; please pray for me ...

~Love, your friend, Johnathon.  :)