Team Cory T-Shirts

For the people who frequent my blog, you will know that my best friend was recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Our English teacher designed these t-shirts to help offset his medical and travel expenses. In purchasing a t-shirt, you will become an official member of TEAM CORY and a profit will go directly to the Perry family. For anybody who wants to help Cory win his fight, you can click here to purchase a shirt. The shirts are $20 each, in which 50% goes to help Cory.

2013- A Year in Review--The Good, The Bad, and the Downright Ugly

January- "Size does matter. I think of essays and you think of wieners" Mrs. Shoemaker cracks a joke in light of what just happened at Sandy Hook. The movie Lifted becomes my favorite. The song American Beautiful is released.

February- on the 27th, Get Mitch Albom to Come to Sayre was created.

March- on the 1st, my sister Brittany Johnson turned 17. On the 3rd, my dad would have been 34. Our family had our last get-together at Bonanza. On the 4th, Mitch Albom noticed our Facebook page. On the 15th, Alan Vanderpool, local DJ, died in a car accident. 

April- On the 15th, the Boston Marathon was bombed. On the 29th, we went to see Romeo and Juliet with Mrs. Shoemaker. 

May- On the 3rd, our freshman English class had a video chat with Mitch Albom. On the 9th, myself, Izaic Wright, and Sydney Post were on the radio to discuss what Mitch had to tell us. On the 7th, the video for Highway Don't Care came out. On the 15th, I celebrated my 15th birthday. On the 28th, we put flowers on my dad's grave for memorial day, my grandpa had a second heart attack, and I won a signed t-shirt from The Henningsens...That was a crazy day for sure!

June- School ended and my depression started. My best year of high school had come to an end. I had another father's day without my dad, and my grandma had surgery this month.

July- On the 12th, my sister won Athen's Idol Karaoke...The next day, Cory Monteith died.

August- On the 8th, I am really hit hard with depression. On the 12th, I "came out" to my mom and my sisters, which feels amazing now. On August 16th, my grandma was admitted to the hospital for a major heart attack, where she went in and out of ICU for a month. On the 27th, I started my first day of school, sophomore year. The 31st made 7 years since my dad died. 

September- On the 3rd, Shelby Vaughn lost her father, and I won a signed Mitch Albom book. On the 4th, my grandma was released from the hospital. On the 13th, I regret poor choices I made in the past. On the 16th, Season 9 of Bones was released. On the 17th, I started identifying myself as atheist. On the 18th, I got my first boyfriend. On the 29th, I watched The Laramie Project for the first time. 

October- On the 4th, my grandpa had heart surgery. On the 5th through the 10th, I was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and major depression. On the 11th, I "came out" to my friends on National Coming Out Day. On the 18th, Mrs. Jenkins and I had a heartfelt conversation that would change how I feel about her for sure. 

November- On the 4th, I finished my Dr. Suess story about Gay Marriage rights, one of my favorite pieces I have ever written. On the 9th, I met Youtube stars Nichole337, Matthew Lush, and Matt Daly on Younow. On the 10th, I met my friend Paul Retsu Nguyen on Younow. On the 15th, the song Follow Your Arrow was released. On the 21st, I was able to talk a girl out of suicide which really made me feel good. I also met my best internet friend and my Twinsee, Brandon Thatcher. Him and Paul have really been there when I need them, and I couldn't thank them enough. I also watched a movie called Prayers for Bobby which really changed my views on Conservative Christians. On the 23rd, I watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a movie that really touched my heart. On the 25th I experienced my first break-up...bummer! On the 26th, I discovered the TV show Glee. 

December- On the 2nd, Jamie Lynn Spears released her first country single How Could I Want More. On the 3rd, I found out about my friends tumor. On the 13th my friend had a tissue biopsy, and on the 16th, he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. On the 18th, the Duck Dynasty controversy began. On the 25th, I had one of the best Christmases I have ever had, even though it was my 8th without my dad. 

January 1st and the new year began. January 3rd, and Cory went to his first of many chemotherapy treatments. Along with Cory's cancer, I can guarantee there are going to be lots of other hardships and struggles of 2014. Although now, I am prepared to take them head on. With the help of the people mentioned above, I can make it through anything!

Help Cory Beat Cancer

I am going to start of this blog post with yet another apology...I am sorry that I did not post anything for Christmas or to help bring in the new year. To be honest, I was trying to avoid making people feel the same stale and bitter depression that I have been experiencing for the past few months. But with the new year, I have decided to take on a new attitude. This next year is going to push me to my limits, but I decided to take things head on. I need to make the most of what I have been given, and appreciate everything under the circumstances, because reasons to smile are hard to come by anymore. For those of you who follow my blogging, you will know that 2013 has not been my year. The struggles, hardships, and stressors seemed to weigh me down to where I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. To make matters worse, On December 16th, my best friend was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Yesterday, he received his first of many chemotherapy treatments. He is receiving his treatments at one of the best facilities in our area, the only one qualified to treat him. But transportation to and from his appointments is 180 miles, which can get very costly. Medical bills are going to be piling up for his family as it is, and being able to make it to his treatments shouldn't be an issue. In order to help out, a fundraiser has been started to raise money for his travel expenses. So I decided to reach out to some of my readers for help. It only takes one person to make a difference, and he could really use the help right now. Cancer is a big enough stress as it is, and I don't want finances to be another struggle for his family. So anyone who is able to help, please click here to make a donation. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, and thank you to anyone who is planning on making a donation. Your support really means a lot!