My blind sister sees goodness in others

Editor’s note: The following column was written by Gonzaga Prep student Michelle Parks about her sister Catherine as an essay for her college application packet. She has since been accepted by several colleges, including Gonzaga University, and is considering her options.

Recently in English class, I was distracted by a quote written in neat cursive across the whiteboard. It read, “A truly happy person is one who can enjoy scenery on a detour.”

A detour in life is a route that one may not be familiar with, but a route that can be much more challenging than what one is accustomed to.

It is not possible to live life and never encounter a detour. I admire those who stumble upon a detour or problem in their life and look at it in an optimistic way and transform this problem from a burden to an opportunity.

My youngest sister, Catherine Parks, was born completely blind. She is enrolled in the fifth grade at Cataldo Catholic School (in Spokane) and is the happiest little girl I know.

She is excelling in school, making friends, and going to birthday parties, just like any other child her age.

Catherine’s favorite activity is meeting new people. They can be old, young, a stranger in a mall, or parent at her school. Regardless of whom she meets, Catherine puts a smile on their face by greeting them, singing a song, or reciting to them one of her corny “knock-knock” jokes.

When I come home from school, she asks me in her endearing childish voice how my day was, and her next question is “Do you want a hug?”

Somebody once described Catherine as having a “magnetic personality,” and I completely agree. Everyone loves to be around Catherine, whether it is the impact of her contagious laughter or the appeal of her glowing smile.

Countless numbers of people have been touched by Catherine’s positive outlook on life.

I often hear people mention how they feel badly for Catherine because she is handicapped and cannot see. These comments disturb me.

Although I know that Catherine will never be able to physically see, I believe that Catherine does not need to regain sight because she has her own way of seeing the world through the senses of touch, smell and hearing.

When a sighted person remembers someone, they most likely remember their physical appearance. Catherine will remember a person by the shape and texture of a person’s hand or face, their scent, or the sound of their voice.

She learns differently than I do and sees the world from a different perspective.

She will never judge someone by the color of their skin, accent, style of dress, or any other type of physical appearance. Instead, she will always see a person for who they truly are, through one’s genuine qualities of consideration, compassion and interest.

Catherine’s judgments of people are a stark contrast to the stereotypes and prejudices that often are witnessed in today’s society.

My family does not look at Catherine’s blindness as a detour, as many people would. We look at her disability as a chance for her to see the world in a way that many people cannot.

Catherine has influenced me to look at my own life differently. I try to be optimistic and look at the good side of things, even when things don’t go exactly the way that I would like them.

My life’s experiences have taught me that you can learn and grow from hardships just as much as you can from good experiences.

I have faced minor detours such as getting cut from volleyball my senior year and major detours such as death and sickness of people who are close to me. Detours in life often frighten people, because they are a deviation from the norm, and a change in a person’s life.

Each adversity I face empowers me to grow stronger and become a better person.

I strongly believe that hardships that people endure are for a reason. God has a plan for everyone, and even though his plan may not always be what one expects, it is what he wants for you.

I know that Catherine was made the way she is for a reason. One of the reasons may be that she influences people positively and has the ability to brighten someone’s day by talking to them for five minutes.

Catherine is an ideal example of how enjoyable life can be if you face your problems in life optimistically.

Though physically blind, Catherine sees. Catherine sees the goodness in everyone through her natural love.

Catherine has been an inspiration to me and helped me to see the good in everyone.