By Rachel Bush
Staff Photographer
Whether it goes by the name of karma or the ripple effect, every action will undoubtedly have a reaction. It is commonly misunderstood how big of a reaction a single person can have, and humanitarian organizations work to amplify this reaction to the fullest extent, assisting as many people as possible.
As the school year concludes, Coppell High School AP English III classes have been assigned to give back to these organizations by spreading the word about their mission. Past the moans and groans of students who do not want another project under their belt, comes junior Aswin Narayanan.
Diagnosed with leukemia at a young age, he is eager to utilize this project as a way to give back to those who gave to him. Narayanan is assisting the Make a Wish foundation to help make wishes for other children come true. After the foundation helped him in his time of need, he is excited to give back.
Behind Narayanan’s dark brown hair and soft smile comes the story of a boy who is taking the upper hand against leukemia. In August 2006, when Narayanan was 11, he and his parents were given the heartbreaking news that he has begun the lamentable battle against cancer.
A strong fighter, Narayanan gives off no indication of the complications this disease has put in his life, from the alterations he has had to make all the way to his chemotherapy treatment.
“Treatment is really tough because they gave me all this chemo that made my legs weak and my hair fell out,” Narayanan said. “I felt sad and out of place because I could not do anything so I would confine to my room.”
Humanitarian foundation Make A Wish is an organization with a mission to “grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.” It was this organization that came to Narayanan and granted his wish.
From the unlimited cotton candy, numerous Disney characters walking the streets, and roller coasters to ride, Narayanan was granted more than a full paid trip to Disney World.
“Make a Wish taught me that even though I feel out of place I am still normal, I can still do what I need to do,” Narayanan said.
This organization is one that reached beyond paying for a fun trip to Disney World; it is an organization that is granting the wishes of thousands of kids across the country. These wishes are giving away the experience of a lifetime to those who are fighting against various vicious diseases.
CHS junior English AP classes dove into the humanitarian world with a new project to help spread the awareness of these organizations. Many students view this project as another burden to scribble in their May agenda, while Narayanan on the other hand, is eager to get the word out about Make a Wish foundation.
“So a lot of people aren’t really excited for this project but for me I feel like I am giving back to and organization that not only taught me a lesson how to live my life to the fullest but also for all the things they’ve done for me and my family,” Narayanan said.
“Right now kids are focusing on their own projects and are therefore learning about a particular organization and which is already raising awareness that wasn’t necessarily there before,” junior Maria Zuniga said. “Once everyone presents, I feel everyone will be able to hear about these organizations and hear about people that are in need of help.”
Cases such as Narayanan’s prove exactly that. First Make a Wish stepped into his life with the trip of a lifetime, and now its Narayanan’s turn to give back to those who gave to him.
