Patrick’s Story
Posted by Students of AMF
Hello from Danville Kentucky! My name is Patrick Cho and I am a junior at Centre College. I returned to school this year after taking a leave of absence from college to help care for my mother, who had ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The period of her illness was the worst of my life. I felt lonely, isolated—I did not know anyone else my own age who could understand what I was going through. Establishing Students of AMF at Centre has been an amazing opportunity to reach out to other college students who have experienced a similar loss. The response, both from students and faculty, has been amazing.
Earlier this year we were approved as an official organization at Centre. As a new organization, our biggest goal was to boost awareness of our new chapter of Students of AMF at Centre. I met with the dean of students and various faculty to make connections with professors so they could refer students to Students of AMF; an email was eventually sent out to all faculty and staff at Centre. We placed informational cards in every student mailbox, and were featured in an interview in the school newspaper. I also met with all the RAs on campus, explaining the goals of AMF and distributing flyers that were put up in every dorm around campus. RA’s have a very personal connection with the residents on their hall, and they have been so helpful in getting the word out among students.
The response has been fantastic. A group of core officers formed quickly, and together organized our first service activity as a chapter this October. We helped distribute candy at a college-sponsored trick or treat for the local community, and our booth was a great success!
As a chapter leader, the most rewarding aspect of AMF has been the support group. Centre is a small school, and most people know, or at least recognize, everyone else. Yet death is never discussed. It’s astonishing to see how many people attend support group meetings that I had no idea has experienced a loss. One of the most valuable aspects of Students of AMF has been the ability to connect people who share this common bond and support one another. The more we grow, the more apparent it is just how important Students of AMF is on campus.
Our chapter advisor, Director of Campus Counseling Kathy Miles, has been a wonderful resource, and I am so grateful to the other students who have helped make Students of Amf at Centre such a success—Jen Abraham, Louesa Akin, and Lan Nugyen. I look forward to the coming year and to building students of AMF at Centre!
