If there's anyone who can be called a true hero, it's my mother.
My mother has always been a wonderful, giving person; however, since she's gotten sick (with multiple sclerosis), life for her hasn't been easy.
For one thing, her disease is unpredictable. You never know how it's going to mainfest itself from one day to the next. For example, one day she may be able to walk with just her cane; the next she may be using her scooter.
She may have trouble speaking or have trouble seeing. When she's like this, she usually stays in bed, and I have to take care of her.
If mom gets really bad, I'll have to call for the paramedics, who then take her by ambulance to the hospital; then I have to play Mom to my two younger brothers, and that's hard, especially if I have homework.
I often do my homework after mom's in bed; sometimes I don't get to bed until midnight--or later.
I'm lucky if I get any sleep at all because sometimes during the middle of the night mom will get really sick, and that's when I have to call for the ambulance.
My name's Brooke Jenna Walker. I'm twelve years old. I wish I could say I was a typical preteen; however, most kids don't have sick mothers; most kids don't have to do all the housework if their mother is having a bad day because her disease is acting up again.
Most kids don't know how to keep house as well as I do. I have learned from my dad how to do the dusting, laundry, vacuuming, cooking, etc. Because my mom can't do it; if mom can't do it who will??
Besides, dad works a million hours a week; he has to in order to try to pay off some of mom's mounting medical bills.
I consider my mom a hero because she handles her disease with courage and grace. She does have bad days, but when she's feeling good she'll greet the world with a smile.
She very rarely complains, even on her worst days. If she does, then we know she needs to get to the hospital, like when she is about to have a seizure (she can tell if she's going to have one; she sees lights around her field of vision, and it makes her dizzy, nauseated).
I just wish I had her positive attitude. Sometimes I can get pretty grouchy, especially if I'm tired. Sometimes I get angry at mom for being sick. It isn't fair to see my once-vivacious, laughing mother struggling to walk or get around, or seeing her body jerking in a seizure. That can be scary, especially if we're not expecting it, which is often the case.
When mom wakes up from her seizure, she is all goofy-headed. I get scared because sometimes I think she's had a stroke; she's not acting like herself; however, once she sleeps it off for a few hours, she's more like her normal self (or as normal as can be), and that always relieves me.
Not to mention, the rest of the family.
My little brothers don't really understand the ramifications of mom's illlness; when they see the ambulance or see her have a seizure, it's up to me to try to keep them calm, out of the paramedic's hair while they do their job and try to help mom.
When the ambulance leaves, I have dad watch my brothers because it's when I go to my room, where I have a good cry.
I don't think it's fair that mom has to suffer like this; however, I'm glad I can help her out when it's needed. It shows that I'm being responsible, even though I'm only a kid.
And my mom is my best friend in the whole world. I'd do anything for her, even during times of crisis.
