Self-destruction: Suicide and Special Olympics
24 September 2013
Self-Destruction
Firearms are the most common method of death by suicide, which accounts for more than 50% of all reports. In 2002, the total documented amount of suicides by firearms in the United States alone was 16,869. The suicide rate is about four times higher for men than it is for women. There have been a total of 24,672 suicidal deaths by males in 2002, which is about 67.6 suicides per day. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for men, the second leading cause of death among college students, and the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 years old (first being accidents and second being homicide). On average during the year 2002, a young person, aged 15-24, commits suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes (Caruso).
My uncle is one of them. Brian Gabriel Sheller was born on Christmas Eve in the year 1977 to mother AnnMarie Sheller and father David Sheller. Brian grew up with three older siblings: Erika, Kristin, and David. Much like his other siblings, Brian was very intelligent, outgoing, athletic, and charismatic. There was just one thing that set him apart from the rest of his siblings. Brian was born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscular coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth (Google). At the time he was born, they didn’t know enough and they weren’t actually aware of his disability until he failed to reach milestones, such as crawling and walking. Through investigation, they found his legs to be extremely stiff. Brian never let that get in the way of his childhood. Even with his disability he tried to do everything normal children could do. For example, Brian loved to play soccer. Instead of using his legs to kick the ball, he would simply just use his crutch to hit it. He also participated in the Special Olympics and he was awarded a ribbon for running. He grew up as an overall
Self-Destruction
Firearms are the most common method of death by suicide, which accounts for more than 50% of all reports. In 2002, the total documented amount of suicides by firearms in the United States alone was 16,869. The suicide rate is about four times higher for men than it is for women. There have been a total of 24,672 suicidal deaths by males in 2002, which is about 67.6 suicides per day. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for men, the second leading cause of death among college students, and the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 years old (first being accidents and second being homicide). On average during the year 2002, a young person, aged 15-24, commits suicide every 2 hours and 12 minutes (Caruso).
My uncle is one of them. Brian Gabriel Sheller was born on Christmas Eve in the year 1977 to mother AnnMarie Sheller and father David Sheller. Brian grew up with three older siblings: Erika, Kristin, and David. Much like his other siblings, Brian was very intelligent, outgoing, athletic, and charismatic. There was just one thing that set him apart from the rest of his siblings. Brian was born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscular coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth (Google). At the time he was born, they didn’t know enough and they weren’t actually aware of his disability until he failed to reach milestones, such as crawling and walking. Through investigation, they found his legs to be extremely stiff. Brian never let that get in the way of his childhood. Even with his disability he tried to do everything normal children could do. For example, Brian loved to play soccer. Instead of using his legs to kick the ball, he would simply just use his crutch to hit it. He also participated in the Special Olympics and he was awarded a ribbon for running. He grew up as an overall