30.Nov.2009 Role Model of the Week: Steph D
When we were younger there were our older sisters, Disney stars and fairytale princesses. But who do we look up to now that we’ve grown up? Eschewing the drugged-out celebrities and philandering politicians, each week we seek someone who inspires. The talented, the hard-working and the unconventional are put on display here, giving us all something to strive towards.
(Steph and I)
The people we look up to shouldn’t just be those we admire from a distance. When you surround yourself with people you truly respect, you learn so much more than you could from a stranger.
I’m lucky enough to have some really amazing friends. Take, for instance, my friend Steph. She’s incredibly hard working, and has the kind of self-assured intelligence that doesn’t need to be worn on her sleeve. Steph’s that person that makes you want to try and be nicer to everyone, because she’s just so infallibly kind. I always have so much fun with her, gossiping about celebrities, being silly and girly.
Last year Steph found out she had a brain tumor (a macroprolactinoma, for the detail oriented). At 21, it was the second brain tumor she’s had to fight. And she has done so with incredible strength and grace – all the while, she was studying and holding down several jobs, only telling people about her illness if she really felt they needed to know – she didn’t want people to treat her any differently. Thankfully, she’s now recovering quite well. In typical Steph style, she was making poor-taste jokes right after surgery.
When Steph faced this challenge with such courage, I realised that self created drama that consumes so much time and energy is of no importance whatsoever. Thank you, Steph, for being such an inspiration.
