2008 Woodie Awards
Viewpoint - Student grows, learns from death
By Vanessa M. Sanchez
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Opinion
Originally published: 10/25/07 at 6:15 PM CSTLast update: 10/25/07 at 6:13 PM CST
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Aries was sure she contracted the disease from her child's father, despite the misconception that the disease affects only gay males.
It was hard for me to hear that my cousin, who was bright and young, was diagnosed with such a horrid disease, but I tried to prepare myself for the day she would pass.
I had to be the strong one in my family. I knew that everyone would go through deep depression with her gone, especially her mother, my aunt Audrey, who is now the main female figure in Anastasia's life.
But I could not help but break down a few times.
I would tell myself that death is a part of life and no one is an exception, not even the beloved and brilliant ones.
Aries learned at a young age to play piano, played volleyball and was an A and B student who was accepted to Texas Woman's University by the age of 16. She had a bright future.
It was not easy for her to tell us about her problem. She waited almost three years after she was diagnosed to tell her family, and even then she told only her sister and mother.
Her symptoms gave her away. She was in and out of the hospital for a year and lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time.
I remember sitting at the table in my aunt's house for a barbecue after church when my mom disclosed the truth. We did not know that only a select number of family members knew.
At the time everyone was informed, she was 25 and finally accepted the fact that her life was limited.
By this time, the disease worsened, pain from her legs grew, her strength to walk weakened and the medication did little to help.
Her long locks of thick curls became thin and straight and started to fall out. When wearing a hospital gown, the bones in her back were visible.
It soon became hard for her to walk, her feet became cold and swollen, and she could no longer go shopping at the malls or dance as she loved.
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