When elementary school teachers ask their students what they want to be when they grow up, they expect to get answers like: astronaut, firefighter or teacher. I was obviously not a typical ten year old. I wanted to become someone who helps sick people feel better. I was stuck between a doctor and a pharmacist. Because I don't get along well with blood, I chose to become a pharmacist. Sure, a pharmacist wasn't as "cool" as an astronaut, but I had a good reason why I wanted to become a pill pusher. When I was eight years old, my mother died of liver disease. No one knew she suffered from this disease, no one except her. She went to the doctor and they told her everything was fine. Clearly, all was not well. Maybe, just maybe, if the doctor had given her some medicine, she would still be here today. Five years later, I remember watching Discovery Channel with my grandparents. We were watching a documentary about the effects of drugs on the body. I remember seeing commercials all the time about how medications reach the site of pain and stop it at the source. According to the documentary, that was absolutely not the case. Most painkillers affect the central nervous system, preventing pain from reaching the brain. One way to look at it is a passing game in football. Imagine that football is the “pain,” the receiver is the “brains,” and a defensive player is the “drug.” The ball is thrown to the receiver but, out of nowhere, a defensive player appears. The defender jumps and intercepts the ball. The pain never reaches the brain, so you never experience that terrible feeling. Everything about this documentary made me want to know more about medications and their effects on the human body....... middle of paper ......society, American Pharmacists. Pharmacy Professionalism Toolkit for Students and Faculty. March 11, 1991. February 12, 2012.—. Should I study pharmacy. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Hibma, Taylor. Characteristics of a pharmacist. June 2, 2011. February 12, 2012. Hill, Rod. "Pharmacy." Pharmacist. Chicago, IL: Rod Hill, March 17, 2009. 1-3. Merriam-Webster. Pharmacy. February 8, 2012. February 8, 2012. Auburn University. Important academic policies. February 15, 2012. February 15 2012 .