55 Project 1: Narrative Ethnography
My ethnographic narrative was about my younger sister. Last year, she had to get a reconstructive surgery on her knee and became extremely quiet afterwards- not talking to her friends or family and rarely leaving her room. Through this project, I was able to gain a better understanding of what she was going through at the time, and as her older sister, it was extremely hard learning about her experience and the struggles she faced. I chose to write this essay in third person in order to capture what exactly happened between Addison and Maggie, and through this project I learned how to improve my interview skills for the future.
The Day the Field Went Dark
Addison had always been an active teenager. At the age of 15, she was a star on her high school’s soccer team and spent her weekends hiking and biking with her friends. Life was an adventure, and Addison was always up for it. But one sunny afternoon, everything changed.
She was out practicing soccer drills on her own, dribbling the ball effortlessly across the grassy field. The sun was warm on her face, and she felt the familiar thrill of the game. As she sprinted down the field, dodging imaginary opponents, she planted her right foot to make a quick turn. That’s when it happened.
A sudden, excruciating pain shot through her knee, and Addison crumpled to the ground, clutching her leg in agony. She knew something was seriously wrong. Her mind raced, and the tears welled up in her eyes as she called for help. Fortunately, a nearby coach rushed to her side and called 911.
In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Addison tried to stay calm, but the pain was unbearable. She thought about all the things she loved to do and how they might be taken away from her. At the hospital, the doctor confirmed her worst fears – Addison had dislocated her knee, and it was severely damaged. She would need knee reconstructive surgery to ever walk, let alone play soccer, again.
As Addison lay in her hospital bed, the reality of the situation sank in. She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. Her parents were by her side, offering words of encouragement and support. But it was a visit from her friend, Maggie, that made the biggest difference.
Maggie was a compassionate and empathetic listener. She visited Addison regularly, taking the time to sit and talk. Addison began to open up about her fears, her dreams, and the challenges she was facing. Maggie listened intently, offering a sympathetic ear and understanding words.
Maggie also brought books and magazines about sports recovery and knee injuries, hoping to inspire Addison to stay positive and focused on her rehabilitation journey. They spent hours discussing the stories of athletes who had faced similar setbacks and had come back stronger than ever.
Throughout her recovery, Addison drew strength from Maggie’s unwavering support. The surgery went well, but the road to recovery was long and challenging. Physical therapy was grueling, and there were moments when Addison felt like giving up. But Maggie was there every step of the way, reminding her of her determination and the love for the game that had driven her in the first place.
Months passed, and Addison’s knee slowly healed. With Maggie’s encouragement and support, she pushed through the pain and setbacks. She worked tirelessly with her physical therapist, determined to regain her strength and mobility. It was a difficult journey, but Addison was not alone.
One sunny afternoon, nearly a year after that fateful day on the soccer field, Addison stood on the same grassy field where her life had changed forever. She took a deep breath, tears of joy in her eyes, and kicked the soccer ball. The feeling of the grass beneath her feet and the wind in her hair was indescribable. She had come full circle, thanks to her own resilience and the unwavering friendship of Maggie.
Addison knew that her journey was far from over, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She had learned that sometimes life throws unexpected obstacles in our path, but with determination and the support of true friends like Maggie, we can overcome them and come out even stronger on the other side.