Free Essay

Autobiography

In: English and Literature

Submitted By timojones
Words 1427
Pages 6
Title: Socioautobiography
Timo Jones
Devry University

Abstract
In this paper, I will be covering my life and the struggles I faced moving from Germany to the United States, as well as the ongoing struggles of being a disabled vet while trying to succeed in life.

Socioautobiography
Throughout my 21 years of life, I have heard, saw, and learned more about life and its unique struggles then I could ever imagined. As I take a look at my life I notice that I have been living in a world that is designed for the rich and wealthy leaving the rest of society to struggle. Born and raised in Germany, I grew up in a small town in Bavaria; it was very similar to the middle class or lower class in the United States. My parents had very little money but we made things work, we struggled even more since my father was black and my mother German; I was a bi-racial child and already labeled at a young age, alongside my father who always stuck out in the crowd, which made it even harder for us to fit inn. It seemed normal to me that my father could never receive a Job because of his ethnicity, it also seemed normal to me that I could not succeed in school, or receive any kind of tangible acceptance from my grandparents. It was basically left to my Parents to socialize me in a country that wouldn’t really accept me, or my family. (TCO 3, 4 & 5) I was always an outsider and never quite felt comfortable in Germany mainly do to the discrimination that I had seen and felt during my childhood, finally in 2003 my family decided, it was time for a new start, and what better place than the united states, so we packet up and relocated to Arizona. My parents felt it was the best choice for their lives and mine, this opportunity allowed me to be able to enjoy the rest of my teenage years and take advantage of opportunities that I wasn’t given in Germany. I adapted fairly quickly since we always spoke English at home, I started to feel comfortable with my environment for the first time, and could finally enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed. The schools where also accepting of me and although they were not very good I was for the first time in my life excited and happy to go. I knew that I would need to take this opportunity and make the most out of it, taking advantage of any opportunity that presented itself.
All went well, until the summer of 2005, when my parents separated and my grandfather passed away on New Year’s Eve. My father decided that drugs and gambling where more important than my mother and I and disappeared, I have not seen or heard from him since the day he left, although I was sad about losing my father, I decided to use that situation to make me stronger and keep me motivated. A short time after my parents separated, I knew that enough was finally enough, unless I differentiated myself from my father and mother as well as their families, I would end up just like them, either in jail or on drugs. At that point my entire life was a mess, so in 2007, I decided to enlist in the military, where it was a Corpsman in the Navy for 4 years. As a corpsman I was responsible for all medical situations that occurred while serving with multiple of the Marines corps elite infantry units. I excelled and did everything to make my life positive and successful with my new career in the navy. I was doing well, until the summer of 2010, when I was wounded by a suicide bomb in Iraq, for almost 1 year I was unable to walk on my own. In 2011, a miracle happened, when I was able to stand on my own again, unfortunately my joy was short lived, since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly afterwards. In December 2011, I was medically discharged, and knew that being a civilian would be a challenge. Shortly after my discharge, I moved to Colorado to open my own business, and ultimately get more education, I did some research and came across devry university and felt it was a perfect choice for what I needed. Upon deciding to pursue my education at devry as well as during this Sociology class I realized that the world is about much more than the things I have seen or experienced in the past. This class has taught me a lot, about how much education really means in today’s society and how this course can help me in the future. I appreciate this experience more now, that I have completed my Military service, and because I am more humble and appreciative then I was before. This assignment although tuff for me, since I feel strongly about what happened to me In Iraq, has truly helped me reflect on the things that happened in my past and also what I could have or should have done to change the outcome of those situations. I have drastically changed my mind on many subjects discussed during this class, and am glad that I was able to learn new things. (TCO 3 & 7) I graduated high school when I was 18 years old and was not prepared for life, I didn’t know what to expect, but since I had signed up for the military and was about to ship out I was even more nervous. It was my choice to become a member of S.a.r.c. (special amphibious recon corpsman), a very difficult and strenuous job in the military that ultimately molded me into who I am today. I was prepared and ready to take on the world, and proved myself multiple times on the battle field and even received a bronze star as well as a purple heart. I truly enjoyed the experience in the military it is the best choice a man can make in their life and I miss it every single day. It gave me structure, composure, skills, knowledge and countless opportunities to make something out of myself. Although I am mostly disabled now, I am glad I made the choice of defending this country. And even though I have a traumatic brain injury which prevents me from being able to complete certain tasks, I feel like this class was taught very well, which made it especially easy for me to succeed and pass.
Shortly before I was injured I met my now wife, who has been like my right hand, and the biggest help that I could wish for. She does most of the tasks around the house and hardly asks for anything, she puts her own needs after what I need, and she is the most trustworthy and loyal woman I have ever met in my life. My wife has been a true blessing; she doesn’t care about my injuries but instead what is inside of my heart. She keeps me focused and motivated, and because of her tenacity, and help, I was able to open my own business at the age of 21.
(TCO1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)
Now that I am disabled, I can’t do most of the things I could do before but I try my best. But regardless of what happened to me I am blessed and could not be happier with how my life is going. My wife and I are ready for our new life in Colorado Springs hoping that it will bring us even closer together. In addition I am hoping on graduating from devry and applying the skills I have learned to my business, I am sure my business will benefit greatly from the education and skills I can add, after completing school. I am trying my hardest to stay positive although it may be difficult some days; the events that I have experienced and seen made me tougher and taught me to never give up, regardless of the difficulty of the task at hand. Finally, I am happy, regardless of how injured or handicapped I may be, I am truly happy with my life, which goes to show, that you really don’t need much to be happy in life. (TCO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

References

Schaefer, Richard T.. Sociology: A Brief Introduction, 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2011.

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