The+Dream

I feel accomplished, getting through the three days of try outs, but I still have a stinging sensation in my shoulder. We ran two miles, and then we had to swim for 20 minutes straight. I had never done that before which made my body hurt even more. Before this year I could not even swim. I was born with two heads. My other head, Chris, controlled the right side of our body. He slowed me down with everything we did, and he could not even control his side of the body easily. He would always trip and take me down with him. It’s not that hard to just worry about one side, but he couldn’t do it. Our family was poor and it took long hours of work from our parents to get the money to protect and feed him and I, let alone get money to get a life threatening surgery. At age 14, I had to ask the question. I had to ask if it was even possible to get the surgery. She replied, “Sweetheart, we just cannot afford anything right now, but maybe someday.” The only way I was able to swim was if doctors did surgery to cut off Chris and give me full control of the body. There was no way if we do the surgery that I would get my head cut off because I am too important. The dream I have always had was to become an Olympic swimmer. There was no possible way that I could even swim with Chris running the other side of the body. We could barely even walk normally, how could we swim together? When I was younger, I watched television a lot because it was a pain trying to walk around everywhere, but we did occasionally run to get in shape. Chris was weak and I made him do whatever I wanted. While I was watching television one day, I saw Oprah and she said, “Never give up on your dreams no matter how distant they seem.” That hit me, and she really inspired me to not give up even though we did not have enough money for the surgery. The only way to get that money was to get a job so I did. During the summer when we were off of high school, Chris and I got a job at a pizza shop. We were delivery guys. We got so much criticism, and decided to quit that job. At that job we earned, about one percent of what we needed for the surgery. That job was a waste of time and we wanted that surgery. We never thought about who would die when we did get the surgery. I guess we didn’t think about that aspect of the surgery until the time came. We found a new job as a cashier at a small antique shop. It was the perfect job for us because it was small and not many people would see us, and also we got paid very well; at least more than we got paid as a delivery person. At the antique shop, I met a very small, strange woman. She claimed she was a fortune teller. She told me some very insightful information. She told me that my life could in go in two directions. I could live a sad and depressing life, but I would not face the guilt of killing my brother. On the other hand, I could live a wealthy and amazing life, becoming a professional swimmer. I would also be able to pay for my family. I know this would be a hard decision when it came time. I didn't even know if I could trust this lady and believe what she said. My brother and I walked home that day. We got about a half a block away when we saw news trucks and police cars surrounding our house. We ran to the head of police almost falling over due to Chris. He calmly patted our shoulders and told us to sit down on a bench we were right next to. I was overwhelmed by everything that I saw and almost passed out. Chris and I were both speechless. The officer said, "Chris and O.J., this news will change your life forever.” Then he paused for a few seconds and continued to say, “Your family just won the lottery!" I cannot express the feelings I got in that moment. We ran into the house and found my mom. She hugged us and whispered in my ear, “I am going to use this money for your surgery.” I couldn’t believe it. Out of everything that she could use the money for she chooses it to help me. That just shows how amazing she is. After all the commotion was over, she called a hospital that was specialized in surgery and set up an appointment in two weeks. That night Chris and I sat down and talked. I felt that we had to sometime figure out what was going to happen. Chris was the first one to speech. “Look, O.J., you know how much I would love to live on, but there is no way I would be able to live with the guilt of killing you. The fortune teller told you that the one life you could have was a wealthy life which means you could take care of mom and dad. If I were to live I would not be able to feed them like you would be able to. Do you remember what Oprah said? She said that you should never get up your dreams and that applies to you. I want you to live through the surgery so you can become a professional swimmer. I don’t have a dream and would be nothing to this world. I love you O.J. Remember that.” I was speechless. I could not believe he just said that. “Chris you would not be useless to the world. I want you to remember that I love you too, more than what you probably think. How could I not love a brother that would do this for me? I will think of you with everything I do and remember how loving you were even though I was not half as nice to you and I am so sorry. Goodnight Chris.” The next two weeks went faster than I had expected, maybe too fast. There as a chance that we would both die in the surgery because it was so dangerous. The surgery would take a whole day, and it is would take off Chris’s head and give me full control of the body. I only remember going to the hospital and we had to wait in a waiting room. They finally came and put Chris and I on a stretcher and the last words we said were I love you. I woke up two days later not remembering what had happened. Something felt different. Was I dead? I could move the right side of the body. It worked. It was an amazing feeling. Now as I wait to see if I made the swim team I can’t help but to think if I did the right thing. What if I could have done this with him somehow? What if we could have worked this out? Chris just wanted me to live my dream. The names were getting called, but I didn’t hear my name. I walked up to the coach and said, “Coach, I didn’t hear my name.” He replied,” Yes son, we just didn’t have enough room this year. Maybe next year will be your year.” I was in tears I never wanted anything more in my entire life, my brother gave up his life for me to do this. I have always said I would be the best swimmer someday. I was very upset that night but I knew that I still had to work hard to try to make a name for myself next swim season. Every day after school, I would swim and swim until I got exhausted. That was the only way to be the best and I kept swimming until I thought I was ready. When try outs rolled around the next year I made it, and I was voted team captain. In addition, I was named national swimmer of the year. When I heard that I started crying, not because of that achievement, but of how I made Chris proud. I knew I did this for him. He gave up so much for me and my family so I had to keep my promise that I would help provide for the family. The next year I was voted onto the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. I felt amazing and it was the greatest experience of my life and I even won a gold medal! It was in a team event, of course. Sometime soon I want to start a charity for children who get born connected to one another like me because I know how hard it is to deal with it. Also maybe with the money they can figure out a way to detach one head and put it on another whole body for them to live. Half of my money earned from swimming will go to this, and I will always remember that I am doing this for my brother. It has taken me years to realize how much he has done for me and how much I love him.
 * __The Dream __ **