Which One?

So here are some very rough drafts of what I would write about if I chose Crohn's or being gay/Mormon for my writing topic. I have been getting a mixed response so I thought that I would write what has been going through my mind and let you guys tell me what you think. Here they are...

"Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee?"

I briefly mentioned that I have Crohn’s Disease in my personal statement. There have been many obstacles that I have had to face in learning how to deal with Crohn’s. When I was first diagnosed, I was completely debilitated. I could barely move because of how much pain I was in. Every morning was a struggle to get up, but I would somehow find the will to get up and go to school and work. I was not willing to give up on life because I was sick; I still wanted to live life to the fullest. The only way that I did not make it to school and work was when the doctor hospitalized me or ordered me to stay home. The semester when I was diagnosed was one of my hardest semesters in my college career because I had a hard time concentrating due to the pain that I was in. I also could have given up on my classes because I missed about a third of the lectures. Despite the challenges of not being able to concentrate and missing a lot of lectures, that semester was actually one of my best and I made the Dean’s List. After a year of my diagnosis, I started to become healthier and my Crohn’s was no longer active. This is because I learned how to deal with my disease. I had to learn to watch what I eat, be careful not to have high stress levels, not exercise with too high of an intensity, and pay more attention to my body. Even though my Crohn’s is currently in remission, I still have to watch what I eat and do. I have had to change my life according to my disease. It is a constant struggle, but I have dealt with it and will continue to deal with it. I will not give up on my life and goals because I have Crohn’s disease.

"Do you have unique experiences or obstacles that you have overcome that were not covered in your application about which you would like to inform our Admissions Committee?"

At a young age, I discovered that I was different from most boys. I did not fully understand why I was different, but I knew that I was different. At the age of twelve, I discovered why I was different; I discovered that I was attracted to men. This discovery was hard on me and I felt that I did not belong, especially because I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Growing up gay in the LDS Church was a difficult one. I never felt welcome and that God hated me. I could not tell anyone for fear of being ridiculed and kicked out of the Church. My high school years were full of pain and loneliness. I was not sure who I was and where I was going. I also had nobody to help me through this difficult time in my life. I did know that I wanted to be a doctor because the medical classes in my high school were one of my only sanctuaries. At this time, I could have easily given up on life and accepted a mediocre life. I, however, had other goals and dreams. I wanted to create the best life that I could have and help others have better lives. When I entered college, I learned to accept myself for who I am and my confidence grew when I made friends and succeeded in my classes. As my confidence grew, I learned that I had a power to help others in need, that I could excel in almost anything I tried, and that life was not meant to be full of pain. These lessons helped me become the person that I am today and has given me the desire to work to help others because I know what it feels like to be alone and like nobody cares about you.