The Big Puzzle of Life

The Big Puzzle of Life

Future Reflections Convention Issue 2014 KIDS TAKING THE NEXT STEP
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The Big Puzzle of Life
by Lucien Gandarias
Introduction by Carol Castellano: Our last panelist is Lucien Gandarias, fondly known as Luke once you get to know him. Luke is going to be entering the sixth grade in Washington State.
Hello, my name is Lucien Gandarias. I'm from Washington State, so you could say I'm a Washingtonian. I live on Whidbey Island in Washington.
First off, I went blind because of a disease called hydrocephalus. I have a shunt in my head to maintain the right cranial pressure. I have to wear a helmet when I play sports to protect my shunt. I also have a loss of hearing in my right ear that was caused by the hydrocephalus.
These things explain why I have to adapt when I participate in my favorite activities. But really it doesn't matter that much. I can participate in pretty much every activity that I am interested in.
I am a huge fan of soccer, and I play as a defender at a recreational level. I have been playing for six years, even before I went blind. I track the ball by looking for a white spot on the grass and noticing the movements of my teammates. What I really like about soccer, besides making great kicks, is that I can help defend my team and score goals.
Last year our team was the first in the league. I had a great coach and teammates who supported me just as they would any other teammate. This year our main goalie yells out directions to me if I'm in the wrong spot. "Luke, guard that man to the right!" I am very appreciative of this information, because it helps me keep in control of my zone and stop incoming movement from opponents.
Recently I tried out for the select team, but I failed to gain a place due to some liability issues and some performance issues on my part. This won't stop me! As soon as the news was delivered, I vowed to practice in the areas where I had failed.
I am also on the local swim team, the South Whidbey Stingrays. My best strokes are freestyle and backstroke. I love swimming because I feel free and refreshed in the water. When I compete, I'm really only competing against my own times, so I can always be successful and have fun. My coach, Christine, is great about taking me out of the water and moving my arms and legs to show me what I need to do to improve my stroke. This is good, because sometimes the acoustics in the pool make it difficult for me to hear or understand her directions.
Now let me move on to a different topic. I'm a huge fan of math and science. I love studying physics! I became interested in the math and science field of learning because in science you're always asking questions. Some of the sciences that interest me aren't taught at my grade level. That's why technology is great. I can go to iTunes U and download course lectures that fit my interests. I may not understand the lectures perfectly, but I find them interesting. Science challenges me and lets me understand different parts of the world.
Recently I learned a ton about ecology and neurology. I was lucky to have a teacher who is passionate about both brain science and natural sciences. I keep going back to some of the facts that I learned, such as that it's impossible for a human being to multitask with two or more hard tasks. That's because your brain needs to focus on one thing at a time to do it well.
With math it is much the same, except the fun comes in solving the problems. I love to have a problem to puzzle over all day and all night, though it usually doesn't take that long. I love unlocking the metaphorical doors that keep the answers hidden from me. I am good at mental math as well as longer problem solving.
Music is also a kind of code for me. I have not learned Braille music yet, because there is nobody to teach me. My lack of knowledge of Braille music hasn't stopped me from playing. I have music lessons with a great teacher named James. James and I have figured out how to do music together. He tells me the notes to play and counts the beats on his fingers. I memorize the song and record my lessons on voice memos so I can review them as many times as I wish.
When I am mad at someone (my mom), I take it out with my music. The music clears my mind, and it makes me happy. Whenever I'm near a piano, my fingers are drawn to the keys, and I have to play. In fact, I'm looking for a piano in this very hotel. If anybody spots one, or feels one, please let me know. I have some practicing to do!
I know what you are thinking--do I have any time to sleep? The fact is, I love to sleep! Sleep prepares me for the next day's adventures. I'm a busy kid, and I like it that way. The experiences I have are all pushing me toward my main goals. These goals are still far ahead, and I have much life to live. Life is like a game of chess. If you make the wrong move, you put yourself in jeopardy, and you need to rethink the plan. Plans can be changed, but the dreams that I have are in the middle of the chess game. They're the ones that will return in my future.
I am very curious. Life has given me many things to capture my interest. Hopefully I will grow into a physicist or a pianist or a professional soccer player. This is all yet to be determined.

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