Up and Down Stories

Story By Earvin Phillip Eugene

Health Problems

Since my early childhood, through adolescence and early adulthood, I have always

been afflicted with some form of health issues and have had to rely on some medications for relief. Persistent and extreme breathing difficulties due to enlarged adenoids were misdiagnosed for asthma and allergies throughout my childhood and early adolescent

years. This mis-diagnosis has exposed me to many years of taking unnecessary steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications with long term side effects. Later on, when the proper diagnosis was established and my enlarged adenoids were removed, I started breathing better. My experience and frustration, not only with the misdiagnosis but also with the long-term side effects of taking unnecessary medications have put me on a quest to learn everything I can about medications, understand their pathways, how they interact with the human body.

I had to adapt to my situation at a young age. I lived a sheltered life reading books, playing video games, and spending time with my siblings. My parents were hardworking middle class people, relying on grandparents and extended family to care for me when they were busy. I remember my parents helping with schoolwork when possible. Studies were paramount especially with a Catholic school curriculum. It was too difficult to focus with weight gain, difficulty breathing and sleeping with the cards I was dealt. I was naively optimistic and unaware of the gravity of my problems as I was accustomed to my issues. Playful at heart, I sought comfort from TV and had entertainment from my older brother and younger sister who were

more active. Faith by mother presented hope for my condition and care as she is a nurse. My late great-aunt supported me through daily activities in most cases. Today, many family members

remind me of the closeness I had to my great-aunt. One defining moment I had was when my childhood hero, my father showed a sense of nurture. My dad, usually a serious man focused on discipline and ambition stayed up all night ensuring I could sleep at night when I had an episode. He would hold me and position me to have access in my airways to breathe in order to sleep throughout the night. This was the beginning of a loss of innocence for me and a realization of my circumstance. I will never forget the moment my dad showed compassion to me. The providing strong figure in my life turned human.

High School

The dawn of a new era, in the late 2000's the world seemed bright and hopeful. Energetic

with youth, fit from exercise, and movement to suburban Setauket, Long Island from the urban westward Elmont. A valuable chapter of my life for mixing business with pleasure. I studied in honor and AP classes at Ward Melville High School and began a promising social life. I would play basketball with friends. Host house parties with classmates. We met together across town at parks, Smithaven mall, AMC movie theater, and each other homes. We laughed and shared provocative thoughts. We worked hard at our first jobs but had little worries when the weekend arrived. I started working at the mall at the U.S. Polo store. I had my first set of responsibilities opening up the store, organizing the store, and help made sales. I would help my family by providing nice discounted clothes. My friends and sister would visit for moral support. Times went by fast with a sense of community and spending time with co-workers.

College Years

I attended Stony Brook University for better or worse I stayed home for college. I have a

tightly knit family and I was advised being in a college town with plenty of resources that this

was the best place to embark on my next journey. I was to study Pharmacology to understand medicine to deal with remitting ailments.

I spent my time in lecture halls, labs, Frat parties, and home. My experience was an introduction to maturity. I spent countless evenings watching lecture recordings, became a teaching assistant in organic chemistry, and performed research for the respected Harvard Lyman in cell biology. I was focused and my health was stable.

During my stint as a student I entered a serious relationship with my girlfriend. With my family support she lived at my house and we both attended Stony Brook University. This was different from past relationships and short-lived romances I had experienced. To have a comfort of a partner within your presence at most times. We would reach school, eat meals and sleep together. I had a taste of true commitment. Being in our youth still we experimented in many aspects of life. Attending "Brookfest", traveling to Boston, Myrtle Beach, and sharing life experiences with friends. I don't drink too much, I know the Budweiser became a mentality. Those days were wanderlust and only sustainable by youth. Troubling issues arrived with my serious relationship. No longer was there endearment and affection but malice. This had a toll on me. Nothing lasts forever.

These Days

I found a passion for developing projects. I produced an app, PhotoGalah. An all in one

app that had photo-sharing, simplified search engine, and video streaming. It was free and I advertised it on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. With increased presence and influence I was connected to Lin Miao. Business was a new venture for me and I saw the success my family had so I wanted to try my luck. Lin Miao represented "Be Great Partners". He emulated lavish wealth

and success. Lin hosted gatherings at his undisclosed mansion and many investors would converse. I was invited to Los Angeles, California. The city of angels!

With limited finances I took my chances from New York to Los Angeles as many have done before me. It was my opportunity to make a name for myself out west. At the summer soiree there was an open bar, aspiring entrepreneurs, executives and Lin. The mansion was on the hills overlooking the valley at night. After a few excursions at the party, I pursued Mr. Miao pitching my application idea. It was set in stone, we would work together. He offered me to stay at his place with few selected guests. I had some success, but to certain circumstances with the law our time was short-lived. I stayed optimistic took in the sights of Hollywood and returned home to New York.

The next best possibility to put my foot through the door was the Web Summit in Dublin, Ireland. This time I had the support of my father. This was a new battleground over the Atlantic Ocean. I was a small fish in a big pond. We stayed in a breakfast & inn at the heart of the city During the day I would attend conferences and meetings pitching my ideas. Receiving business cards and rubbing shoulders with the most influential of the tech industry. I was able to sell my app but for a small fortune. It seemed too expensive to run ads, produce growth, and expand markets. My father and I bonded over time well spent in a new country but I had fallen short. We took in the sights and tours of castles, farms, and European city life to past time for our return home.

Graduation had approached. Cap and gown ready, this was true success to my family. Short celebration and straight to work. I had to show signs of a real worker. Clock in the morning and clock out at night. I used my new degree as Pharmacologist and worked for Amneal Pharmacueticals as a scientist. My family was proud.

Changes

With the remission of certain health problems. It was difficult to continue working. My family and friends became more concerned about me. I was in and out of the hospital and focused on staying home. These were troubling times, but I wanted more for myself.

I decided to go to medical school in St. Lucia to reconnect with my brother. I believed in a change of scenery and opportunity would be the perfect fit. My brother as a guide I hoped to be successful. We bonded about being two healthcare students abroad. Also, I built a relationship with housemates. We toured the island, enjoyed the environment when we could, and studied hard. There was a lot to see and experience. Sadly, I wasn't able to finish the program and had to take a leave of absence. Another failure.

After some time I pursued pharmacy school at D'Youville in Buffalo, New York. I've met new classmates, friends, and room-mates. The white coat ceremony was promising. However, a flashback to a previous memory. This led to many days of studying, clinical rotations, and connections. During this time I developed a new application, Vulture. It is an email social network. It is available on Amazon Appstore and GooglePlay. In addition, I produced merchandise that included clothes and apparel. Furthermore, I performed on the requirements of academic standards, but fell short the second year. In a state of disappoint, I'm encountering depression...