An obstacle is someone or something that prevents or slows down a person’s progress. When someone overcomes an obstacle it means they were faced with an issue but learned how to successfully deal with it. Madie is a freshman at the University of Alabama, a member of Alpha Phi, and a former cheerleader. When you first look at Madie you see her long brown hair with blonde highlights, hazel eyes, and natural beauty. Madie constantly exuberates happiness, and always has a smile on her face. At first glance you would never know that she has had her share of struggles throughout her life. When I first met Madie, I immediately realized that there is more to her than her pretty face, she is very unique. The first time Madie was faced with adversity…show more content… When I researched the disease I found the definition in medical terminology. “ It is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) lodges in your kidneys”(Mayo Clinic). Madie simply described Berger’s as “a kidney disorder that could require a kidney transplant.” She went on to explain Berger’s and said it did not hurt her. I asked Madie how she felt after being diagnosed. To which she replied, “I was relieved because at first they thought I had a brain tumor.” At the young age of fourteen, Madie’s life changed drastically. All of a sudden her eyesight disappeared and she could no longer hear. Madie was terrified. She was then diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). “POTS is a form of dysautonomia that affects the flow of blood through the body, thereby causing dizziness when standing(MyHeart.net). Madie hopes to outgrow the disease but said it is not looking promising. With all of this happening to her it was impossible for Madie to stay hopeful. She said, “I didn’t like myself and my body seemed to be rejecting me too.” Right before her freshman year of high school started Madie had a bit of a scare. She started to feel excruciating pain in her kidneys and because of her disease, she feared she was in need of a kidney transplant. Madie said that as she was walking into the hospital she was “holding [her] right kidney as if it was falling…show more content… She said that everyone in her life helped her; teachers, friends, and family. She says her mom was her best friend when she was getting bullied, and that is why they are so close now. She is also close to her brothers, Aidan and Tristan, though they are eight and ten years older. Madie was not always close with her brothers. She became closer to them when they left for college. Her brothers are very protective over her because she is the baby. I asked Madie who the most influential person in her life was, she said her brother Aidan (AJ). “[AJ] has so many medical issues but doesn’t let them affect him too much, he is really strong, and a good role model.” AJ was the one that taught her to be strong, no matter what was going on in her life medically. Tristan her older brother is now in medical school, studying to be a doctor. She says that he is the type of person that wants to help everyone. Madie said, “he felt bad when he would just watch us struggle so that is why he wanted to become a doctor.” Having a strong support system like her family helped Madie be the strong woman she is
