Jason Schmidt

Jason Schmidt Todayjasonschmidtbooks.com “Don’t let your struggle become your identity” - Deidré Wallace. This quote describes what Jason Schmidt had to go through, during his childhood. There were many times where he was having a certain struggle in his life. These struggles would create a conflict of how he identified himself. However he never let this stop him in succeeding in life.  Jason was born in 1972 in Eugene, Oregon. During most of his childhood he lived in the I-5 corridor, Schmidt is an infamous author who writes about his childhood. He is also a strong person that has faced many struggles. This includes some pretty indescribable events— homelessness, beatings, hunger. When describing a hero, they must possess an act or character of bravery. They must be selfless, this is because heros are never selfish. Finally, a hero is willing to struggle and able to overcome challenges. A hero never gives up, no matter how tough things may seem. Jason Schmidt is deserving of the title of a hero because of his selfless acts towards his dad, his character of bravery, and his strong desire to overcome challenges he faced.

Jason Schmidt is a inspirational person because of his character of bravery, he has shown strength and prosper even throughout a rough childhood. During his early life Jason Schmidt’s life, things were simple and almost carefree. It wasn’t till about the age of 6 where events started happening that made Jason learn how to be brave. He describes in his autobiography, a time in his life that would alter everything,“I was hiding in my dad’s closet, watching him through a crack in the door while he did something he didn’t want me to see. I felt clever for catching him, but I didn’t understand most of what I saw” (Schmidt 11). This was one of the first memories Jason can recall about his dad. He didn’t understand at the time, however this one event would cause a chain of reactions. This single experience would cause his dad to get arrested and him to be shipped away. He describes this event in his book, “only once I got down there, nobody knew what to do with me, so I spent one night in foster home before being shipped to California, where I stayed with my other grandparents -- John and Margaret -- in Torrance, the blue-collar suburb of Los Angeles where my dad and his brothers had grown up”(Schmidt 17) This shows how no matter what awful things happened to Jason, he was always strong and willing to face whatever came next. In addition, he was acceptable to change. This quote is talking about his early life where is dad is first arrested. Losing his dad is a hard thing, yet Jason always showed his character of bravery. He was also brave because moving can be a scary thing for a kid so young. Being a hero is a person who shows bravery no matter what they are faced with. They put their first foot forward into danger even if it means consequences.

Jason and his dad Mark ~ 1975jasonschmidtbooks.comBeing a hero means being selfless, Jason Schmidt was never selfish and was always willing to give, even through the hardest times. Throughout Jason’s life, his dad has always been the negative part. Even through the struggles his dad put him through he still remained humble and selfless. He describes a time in his life when he had to take care of his dad, “he overdosed on his pain meds all the time. Once or twice a month, I had to sit next to his bed, timing the intervals between his breaths on my cheap digital watch. If he didn’t take one at least every two minutes, I was supposed to call 911. But that would be the time to do it.” Although his dad never treated him with respect or kindness, Jason was still able to set aside his own feelings to care for his dad. His Dad’s abuse and negligence had even caused Jason to want to kill his dad. However he knew that he must take care of him no matter how it would affect him. Even it meant putting his own life at risk. Another reason he is selfless is because even though his dad did indescribable things to him during his childhood, he is still able to thank him. “He was a single dad raising a kid; on the other hand, he was dealing drugs. There’s an idea in our culture that somebody has to be virtuous to deserve basic human dignity. My dad wasn’t necessarily virtuous — I see a lot of moral cowardice and selfishness in him — but I can’t deny that I owe him a lot.” Jason was still able to move on from the awful events that happened throughout his childhood. He realized that his dad still provided a lot for him. In addition, he also recognized his dad owns selfishness.  He strived to be more than his dad. A hero needs to have a selfless characteristics. Even if they don’t want to, a hero looks out for people who don’t even deserve their help.

Last Known Photo of Jason and Mark ~1988kuow.comJason Schmidt has consistently shown acts of bravery, has been able to overcome challenges, and even be selfless to be people in his life who don’t deserve it. Which is why he is a hero. Hard situations make stronger people. Jason is a strong and amazing person for being able to overcome all of the struggles and still be a good person today. He didn’t let any of his struggles become his identity. Jason is an inspiring person, this is because he has been through traumatic things, and he is still a strong person. Which is inspiring to other people going through hard times. And helps change perspective of how someone’s life may not be as bad as they think.  A person who can make someone look at their life and surroundings in a different way. Make them change their perspective, how to be positive even through the worse times, and be grateful for the life you have. That is a person who is truly a hero. Jason Schmidt is my hero.

Works Cited:

“Don't Let Your Struggle Become Your Identity.” LoveThisPic,

www.lovethispic.com/image/170069/dont-let-your-struggle-become-your-identity.

"Jason Schmidt." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2015. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000315007/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=0072c

Rowe, Claudia. “Q&A With Jason Schmidt: a Memoir of Tough Seattle Childhood.” The Seattle Times,

The Seattle Times Company, 14 Jan. 2015, www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/qa-with-jason-schmidt-a-memoir-of-tough-seattle-childhood/.