A Birthday Reflection on Life and Gratitude 1

I just had my 31st birthday this week, and I always do a lot of reflecting each year at this time. As I’m sure many people do, I think about how many opportunities I have had, what I accomplished, and how blessed I truly am; however, I also think about goals, look back at how things have come along, and decide what I need to improve for the next year. In addition to this personal reflection, I always come back to a big part of who I am and what makes me…me: my eyes.

As a double cornea transplant recipient, I am acutely aware of how important vision is to navigating life. But what’s more is that I recognize the importance of making vision a reality for others through the organ donor registry. Having spent a considerable number of years being unable to read or drive because of my sight, I now look back on how tremendous the vision-restoring operation I had after college truly was. It paved the way for all that I have achieved in my personal and professional identities.

Knowing the impact I have been able to have in my work and life on others, I know that much of my career would not be possible if it weren’t for the cornea transplants I had. And that makes me think about all the other transplant recipients out there and what they are able to accomplish in their lives because of the gift of sight, or in some cases life, that they received. In a way, the impact of the organ donor registry far exceeds merely impacting health. It transforms lives and makes the world a better place.

So, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the work of an organization that has made a huge impact on my life and I know is making a difference in the lives of others as well. That organization is Eversight Michigan and its parent organization, Eversight. In my next post, I’ll be sharing how I see their important work making a huge difference in the world.

I’ll be forever grateful to the individuals who decided to become organ donors, and who passed away, in order for me to be able to see. That gratitude fuels me each day to work hard to make the most of that gift. I’m a firm believer in the phrase “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I expect a lot of myself, and strive to make the gifts I have been given go to great use in helping me serve others.

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Gary G Abud Jr

Instructional Coach at Grosse Pointe Public Schools

Gary is an influential teacher leader with extensive experience educating students at the high school and university level. He is a regular conference presenter, education speaker, and leader of staff development for educators. His classroom practice embraces a collaborative environment centered on constructivist teaching, project-based learning, classroom branding, Modeling Instruction, standards-based grading, and mobile device technologies.

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