Hard Work
Hard work without a support system can seem endless during the high school years. It is inevitable that high school will challenge your work ethic and make you prove to it that you want to finish. Michael Oher was up against strong odds and had no one behind him to help him through. When I was in high school we had just one black family and his story was very similar. Taking the time to help someone in the right direction and seeing them flourish when they get to their feet, is a feeling of worth that cannot be bought.
In the movie the Blind side, Michael Oher was depicted as a person whom was in the ghetto and not moving out at a quick pace. He had a mother whom knew nothing but drugs and a father whom was non-existent. Michael had dreams of getting out and doing something with his life, which seemed like too big of a mountain to climb alone. He went to classes and didn’t utilize what was being presented because he didn’t know how. That was until he met Leanne Touhy and her family. She found him one night walking in the cold and decided to give him a place to lay his head, not knowing how it would change the life of the both of them. Michael came to live with the Touhy’s and flourished as a student and as an athlete, he just needed some support. With pulling up his grades and his fascinating abilities on the football field he was accepted into college and pursued a career in the NFL.
The stories depicted in movies, even those that claim to be true stories, sometimes may be “glorified” to make them entertaining. This movie was not one of them, it was the actual story, and which ironically is what made the movie that much more entertaining. One difference that what stated on the ABC news story was that Michael was staying at other people’s houses and Leanne allowed him to stay as he would stay periodically and leave, he didn’t come there and stay right away. The relationship between Leanne and Michael didn’t flourish right away, but did become a mother/son relationship and was valued highly by Leanne.
What makes this story so successful is the “rags to riches” scheme that all Americans strive for and embrace when we can talk of a person being able to do that here. In my personal life my family has a similar story to Michaels. His name was Chris; his mom was also on that crack pipe and had never taken care of him. He was supporting himself and his family at the age of 14 working at burger king. I had gone to school with Chris, the only black male in our small town, since grade school. It was until high school that we talked and became friends. When I moved in with my dad I learned of the travesties his mother had been creating and learned that he needed a place to stay. He came and stayed with us and didn’t want to leave. All he needed was a place to lay his head that was safe and a warm meal at the end of his day. He contributed to the house and was a companion to me. We lived together for two years until I went away to school and still lives with my father. He works full- time training German Sheppard’s for police task forces and has made huge leaps for himself that he accredits to our family helping him in his time of need.
At a time where life is beginning to take flight and questions about which path to take are inevitable, a support system needs to be in place. When dreams are trying to be achieved and confusion about life is normal, people behind you make all the difference. Michael Oher in no way would be where he is today if it weren’t for the Touhy’s. Leanne made the leap to help someone who was clearly in need to her support. Chris was in need of simplistic things that most take for granted every day, and once they got that little piece of support, the freedom to flourish was the next step. Being able to give that to someone who is in need and seeing them be successful is a gift that cannot be replicated with money. It is a warm feeling in your chest of accomplishment. When you see someone whom needs support, and its not to your detriment; give, just a little, and see where it takes you.
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