Reading Response to "It's kind of a funny story"(revised)

              Have you ever thought what goes on in the mind of a person who suffers from depression?  Have ever thought what they think about and what they want to do?  Well I was reading an interesting book called It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.  It's about a teenager named Craig Gilner who wants to succeed in his high school.  But the stress becomes unbearable, he starts to suffer from depression and nearly kills himself.  His actions gets him checked into a mental hospital with a lot of people who suffer from mental problems.  There he meets many people with mental disabilities and it seems that he fits right in.  He met a girl who also suffered from depression and cuts herself.  Also a professor who gets sprayed by insecticide and a boy who is a transsexual. The experience in the hospital will change his life.  Coming out and telling people about what's wrong with you can solve your problems.
               One observation that I made is that Craig wasn't the type of person who are depressed and does something drastic.  He was able to control himself and get enrolled in a hospital.  His mom said it was his smartest decision in his life.  In the hospital he got better and learned how to deal with it.  Craig said how the people and the friendly environment helped even though the people were kind of screwed up.  It showed how telling people about his problem and them telling him about theirs give all of them a way to connect.  Craig thought his life was hard when he stayed in the hospital his opinion was changed by seeing people with harder lives and is envious of his life.  Here is a quote from Bobby another hospital patient: "See, that's the part I don't get Craig.  I mean you're cool, you're smart, you're talented.  You have a family that loves you.  You know, what I would do just to be you, for just a day.  I would ... I would do so much.  I would ... I don't know.  I would just ... I'd just live.  Like it meant something."(115).  This made Craig rethink his own life.  The person that Craig connected most with is Noelle the girl who cuts herself because they both suffered from depression and nearly killed themselves.  Their similar experiences gave them a way to connect.
           Organisms can develop adaptations to changing environments.  Adaptations that are better suited for the environment. It relates to Craig because he changed while he was in the hospital.  Before he had too much stress from schoolwork and smoked pot.  While in the hospital and meeting people with mental disabilities his personality changed because now he seems more active and wants to keep on living.  Before he had nothing that he does with his extra time.  But after going to the hospital he found something that he likes like a hobby he would call  an "anchor".  "I know you're thinking.  "What is this?  Kid spends a few days in the hospital and all his problems are cured?"  But I'm not.  I know I'm not.  I can tell this is just the beginning.  I still need to face my homework, my school, my friends, my dad.  But the difference between today and last Saturday is that for the first time in a while, I can look forward to the things I wanted to do in my life.  Bike, eat, drink, talk ... Run, travel, swim, skip.  Yeah, I know it's lame, but, whatever skip anyway.  Breathe ... Live."(216).
            This book can relate to many people in the world who suffer from depression.  Most of them don't tell anyone about their depression.  Often resulting in lack of energy and suicidal thoughts.  With no one to talk to they slowly become a social loner.  But some tell people and some usually feel better and are able to get better treatments.  I would say if something is wrong don't hide it and tell it to people.  Just like Craig he talked to people who also has mental problems and talking about his seems to cure his depression.  Talking to people with a similar mental illness gives them a way to connect, so they don't feel lonely and talking to people might solve their mental illness.

Sonnet

I walk down the lonely street in the night
I am like the small guy in the big world
I am towered over and filled with fright
I wished to be like the others and the lord
I look upon myself to be like them
I hate the people who give me dark looks
I want to be famous like Eminem
I am disrespected like big bad crooks
But when I look at the sunrise I hope
I hope to fill my heart with contentment
From now on I will not act like a dope
Now I have a heart full of enchantment
Now I will strive to fulfill my life’s dream
Instead of stealing I will now come clean