Frederich Nietzsche once said "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger". I am no stranger to coming from a broken home. I spent much of my life moving from state-to-state with my mother, who was an addict herself, so Michael Oher’s story is much like my own. Watching Mr. Oher and many of the struggles he overcame hit very close to home for me, but it also made me think about Nietzsche. Through watching The Blind Side, I realized just how easy it would have been to have let my situation get the best of me and allow myself to say it was just too much to overcome, a choice many young people face today. This story has led me to believe that although I, along with Mr. Oher, was able to rise up in the face of adversity; we did so with the strength and support of others which many of the young people of today simply do not have. This film has made it clear to me that we, as a community, need to help children that come from broken homes.

My childhood consisted of moving from state-to-state, city-to-city. and school-to-school, for the good part of 12 years, tagging along as my mother tried to live "her life". I found out at 9 years old that my mother was an addict, and after that day I saw her in handcuffs and police cars more than I saw her In her Sunday's best. Through sports, coaches, and a father more than a thousand miles away, I was able to see the worth in myself, the importance of getting a good education and steering away from the negative influences in my life. Watching Michael's story reminded me much of my own but also made me realize that without that support many of today's youth fall into gangs, drugs, and make poor decisions.

The Blind Side not only warmed my heart, but it also showed me that there is still some caring in humanity. The Tuohy's opened their home to a complete stranger and gave him the hope, support, and strength he needed to push forward in the face of adversity. This hope, one of the greatest gifts you can give to a person, is what I feel we need to give to the struggling youth of today, be it through sports or mentoring, every little bit counts. The voice of Nietzsche has not reached the ears of these young people, and we must make it completely evident "That which does not kill me makes me stronger.”

This film has inspired me to start a youth-driven organization in which we will help the down trodden young people in the community through mentoring and encouraging them to get involved in sports, as well as getting their grades up in school, allowing them to see the worth in themselves as individuals and become productive members of society. This movie has truly inspired me.