Lessons from Failures
Today’s Cornerstone Content Blog Challenge topic, Lessons from Failures brought back memories of when our oldest daughter was in school. It started in grade school when she was constantly going to the nurse for headaches. Chris wasn’t learning as fast as the other kids in her class so the teachers figured she was pulling a fast one just trying to get out of class. We took her to doctors but they found nothing wrong and just said it was “growing pains.”
As the years went by she was in junior high and still had the same learning difficulties and instead of the teachers working with her they would tell her if she can’t do the work, she will be a failure. The headaches continued, we had her eyes checked and they were fine.
During the summer of 1982 when she was 13 years old Chris passed out while at 4H and they called and suggested we take her to the ER since she hit her head. While having her checked out we got the devastating news she had a brain tumor. Within a month she had surgery and while that was successful it left her right side paralyzed. Chris was a persistent and through three months of in-patient therapy she regained most of her strength. Another three months and she was back at school.
She passed every school grade by studying hard and learning all she could but still struggling she entered high school and worked hard to keep up with her assignments. But she was already label as a failure by many of her teachers.
When Chris heard of a job opportunity at the local store she told her guidance counselor she was going to apply. The first thing he told her was don’t bother because she wouldn’t be able to handle the job. But her English teacher told her she could do whatever she put her mind to.
Chris applied for the job of cashier not expecting to hear back. Was she surprised when she received a call asking if she would like a job in the office instead because her test scores were so high and the office job was higher pay.
Some people can be failures, not through themselves but from others telling them they are. When you hear this over and over you finally just agree with them and figure you are a failure.
Chris learned a lesson from her teachers and guidance counselor about lessons from failures. It was them that failed by telling her she would be a failure.
Chris went on and took the job where she excelled in her work and learned even more just by hands on.
The moral of this story is some failures aren’t the fault of the person, it’s those around you that tell you something can’t be done and label you as a failure. I’m so glad Chris didn’t listen to her teachers and went on the job interview back in high school where it was the start of her leading a very successful life after graduating high school. Chris has four grown children and now waiting for her 7th grandchild to enter this world while working full time at Costco in Virginia.
The lessons from failures were a fail for her teachers not Chris and I am very proud of all her accomplishments.
I feel like your family is becoming virtual friends. I went through school just fine and graduated from time and time again. My “guidance counselor” in my life was actually my NCO in the Army! He literally hated me before he met me….no seriously! From Day one he insisted he knew everything about me before I even got to the unit! I am thinking Chris is NOT Lia’s mother. Is she? Chris and I had similar experiences, and I could have written the same story- well almost the same, LOL, today! I get it and feel what she went through, and you are so right sometimes it is what others tell you about yourself that makes you feel like a complete and total failure! I feel like I have another virtual friend in your family now!
It’s amazing how we have so many simularities Pamela! Chris is not Lia’s mom, she is our oldest daughter. Alex is Lia’s mom and her mom is our youngest daughter who is out of the picture but I’m Alex’s mom and grandma now and I love it!
Oh FYI- I may not be Italian but growing up across the yard from Italians- I so get that mask and LOVE IT!!
LOL!
LOL Pamela, not sure where Chris got it but I love it too.
What a beautiful story of triumph over adversity!! You are absolutely right – the failure was theirs, not hers. But also, every doctor who didn’t diagnose the tumor failed, too.
Sometimes we have to listen to ourselves to find the answer. Chris has always been one to beat the odds and and excell in everything she puts her mind to Jeanine.
After we were told about the tumor we found out that Chris’s dentist saw “something” when doing exrays but never said anything or thought anything about it Jeanine.
This is the most empowering story I have read Martha.I think Chris is the kind super heroes are made of .
Thanks Amrita, she worked hard and it paid off.
Glad she persisted, as well! Too many folks jump to first assumptions- and then never rechallenge them.
Thanks Roy, she was never one to take no for an answer.
Your daughter’s story is truly inspiring. I recall reading about her brain surgery a while ago..
Thanks Vidya, Chris is a fighter in so many ways.
Great story! 🙂
Thanks Amanda!
I am so happy that Chris didn’t listen to the negativity of her teachers and that she found her own success. She overcame a lot andher story can be a great example in never giving up for kids who struggle.
Thanks Alice, we’re so proud of her persistence in everything she does.
I faced a lot of challenges like this with Charlie who has Stomach trouble and still does. But the nurse in his school let me know she had a nervous stomach and she thought that was what Charlie had. After getting tips from her he did do better. But still struggled a lot as he is ADHD and has Dyslexia. Teaching Charlie will make a grown man want to drink most days. But as a mom I can’t give up no, matter how hard it gets because Public School isn’t the right place for C.
Not knowing Charlie in person but from what I have seen in the past few years he seems to have grown up so much. It looks like while homeschool might be more consuming for you, it’s the best for Charlie. He looks like he is willing to learn, I wish we lived near you Rich and I would help with his learning. You are teaching him great Glenda.