How do I sum up my experience with the senior project in only 600 words? I learned so much, not only about my research topic, but about myself.
The most eye-opening part of this project was reading my book source, Arrival Stories. This book contains graphic stories about the difficulties of becoming a mom; infertility, pregnancy, abortion, miscarriages, and traumatic births. I also was exposed to the horrible discrimination against women of color in the workplace. One novella was by Abby G. Lopez, who describes her first birth she witnessed after becoming licensed as a doula. She shared that she was primarily responsible for translating instructions between the patient and the doctor. The resident doctor treated the woman as if she did not understand her own body and pain tolerance. In fact, she ripped out the placenta instead of letting it come out naturally, which is incredibly dangerous because if the placenta rips inside of the woman, it is toxic to the woman and even death can occur.
The hardest part of my senior project was attempting to learn to crochet. When this didn’t work out, it was hard to swallow my pride and ask my English teacher to let me switch my project’s focus. I am so happy I did this, because I was able to make a difference in 33 family’s lives, while if I had stuck to crocheting, I would have only been able to help one family.
I have so many people that helped me through this experience. My AP Psychology teacher read and approved my Letter of Intent. My English teacher provided support and guidance throughout the entire process. My grandmother patiently helped me with that dang crochet hook, and gave me the push I needed to switch to making hats on a loom when crocheting didn’t work out. My parents gave me ample opportunities to vent when the project became overwhelming, they read my paper, listened to me practice my presentation, and helped me donate the hats. My second interviewee invited me into her home to help me with my research paper, despite the fact that she was pregnant with her third child and has two little ones to care for. My mentor went above and beyond to help me throughout this process. She signed so many forms, gave a fantastic interview that shaped my whole paper, read and gave critical feedback on said paper, and even bought the materials necessary for her family to make hats to donate. I was privileged to add her family’s five hats to my collection of hats to donate.
Through this experience, I have gained so much appreciation and respect for my own mother. Understanding a little more of how incredibly taxing pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of a baby’s life is for the mother has made me so grateful for all she has suffered in order for me to be here. For as long as I can remember, I’ve desperately wanted to be a mom. Being around little kids does not help my baby fever. While the statistics and horror stories of becoming a mom have definitely given me cause for concern, this process has made me even more excited to reach that stage in my life. Because every mother I have talked to doesn’t regret having their kid. Despite the physical, mental, and emotional trauma, the love from these women towards their children is so apparent. It makes me incredibly excited at the prospect of someday joining this elite club of loving mothers who would do anything for their kids.
The most eye-opening part of this project was reading my book source, Arrival Stories. This book contains graphic stories about the difficulties of becoming a mom; infertility, pregnancy, abortion, miscarriages, and traumatic births. I also was exposed to the horrible discrimination against women of color in the workplace. One novella was by Abby G. Lopez, who describes her first birth she witnessed after becoming licensed as a doula. She shared that she was primarily responsible for translating instructions between the patient and the doctor. The resident doctor treated the woman as if she did not understand her own body and pain tolerance. In fact, she ripped out the placenta instead of letting it come out naturally, which is incredibly dangerous because if the placenta rips inside of the woman, it is toxic to the woman and even death can occur.
The hardest part of my senior project was attempting to learn to crochet. When this didn’t work out, it was hard to swallow my pride and ask my English teacher to let me switch my project’s focus. I am so happy I did this, because I was able to make a difference in 33 family’s lives, while if I had stuck to crocheting, I would have only been able to help one family.
I have so many people that helped me through this experience. My AP Psychology teacher read and approved my Letter of Intent. My English teacher provided support and guidance throughout the entire process. My grandmother patiently helped me with that dang crochet hook, and gave me the push I needed to switch to making hats on a loom when crocheting didn’t work out. My parents gave me ample opportunities to vent when the project became overwhelming, they read my paper, listened to me practice my presentation, and helped me donate the hats. My second interviewee invited me into her home to help me with my research paper, despite the fact that she was pregnant with her third child and has two little ones to care for. My mentor went above and beyond to help me throughout this process. She signed so many forms, gave a fantastic interview that shaped my whole paper, read and gave critical feedback on said paper, and even bought the materials necessary for her family to make hats to donate. I was privileged to add her family’s five hats to my collection of hats to donate.
Through this experience, I have gained so much appreciation and respect for my own mother. Understanding a little more of how incredibly taxing pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of a baby’s life is for the mother has made me so grateful for all she has suffered in order for me to be here. For as long as I can remember, I’ve desperately wanted to be a mom. Being around little kids does not help my baby fever. While the statistics and horror stories of becoming a mom have definitely given me cause for concern, this process has made me even more excited to reach that stage in my life. Because every mother I have talked to doesn’t regret having their kid. Despite the physical, mental, and emotional trauma, the love from these women towards their children is so apparent. It makes me incredibly excited at the prospect of someday joining this elite club of loving mothers who would do anything for their kids.