The Dream by Abi

The Dream by Abi - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

“You? A doctor? Yeah right”

“Why would you want to spend the rest of your life in school?”

“You’ll be fifty before you make any decent money”

These were not my thoughts. They were, unfortunately, the voices of the people who I thought always had my back: my own friends. I painstakingly faced these remarks head-on, frantically searching for every counter argument possible. Moments like these were what truly tested my patience, courage, and not to mention, rhetoric. I defended the medical profession with invigorating passion, sometimes infuriated by their profound ignorance of what it means to be a person devoted to saving the lives of their fellow man.

Interestingly, my perspective towards medicine was quite the opposite of my current, defensive attitude. Born with a “fear” of hospitals, I always misinterpreted doctors, blood, and needles as medicine’s bad side, often shedding pathetic tears for a measly flu shot. My childish terror for hospitals continued for quite a while, until my life sciences class during the seventh grade. My instructor instilled an everlasting love for the elements of a medical profession within me, setting this ambition in stone. My friends eventually acknowledged my desire to help people and my choice of a medical career. However, although they never discredited it, they were not gleaming with support either.

Nevertheless, I respected my friends’ views and fortunately, I have them to thank because their remarks revealed my greatest challenge: myself. I was known for accepting the opinions of others, and because of that, I found myself doubting the legitimacy of my own ambition.

What if they are right? Maybe medicine is not right for me...Is it really worth it?

This was my definitive obstacle: I was far too easily swayed by the opinions of others. I had indeed considered steering away from medicine many times, but my love for it and family’s support encouraged me to keep pursuing this goal. Since my predecessors consisted of many physicians, I strongly desired to bring my generation into that league. However, to do so, I needed to change. I began shutting out distractions that would derail me from my journey, gradually convincing myself to disregard what others had to think and do what I, and those who supported me, thought was right for me. My friends, despite their unsupportive attitudes, strengthened me, and through my family’s help, I learned my most valuable lesson: never let the opinions of others control your dreams.

Volunteering at a hospital throughout high school has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the value of a physician. Observing doctors treat patients ranging from newborns to 80-year-old war veterans, I have learned that they do not merely give prescriptions and order tests. Doctors give people hope, a reason to stay strong, and the realization that there is someone looking after them.

My appreciation for doctors was exemplified on a pleasant Sunday at my hospital. I was transporting the husband of an older couple to their car. He, unfortunately, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his hands trembled vigorously. As I wheeled him towards the elevator, he asked me, his voice stuttering, “So what are your plans for the future?”

I replied with confidence, “I want to be a physician, sir”

“Excellent choice,” he said.

I brought them to their car and helped the man into the passenger seat. I said my goodbyes and started walking away when I heard him say,

“Young man”

“Yes?” I turned.

“God bless you,” he said, his hands still trembling, and his voice still stuttering.

A simple yet elegant interaction, filled with love, honor, and mutual respect. I imagined this scenario with myself as a doctor helping better the lives of people and bringing about these same emotions, thus realizing that this is what it truly means to be one.

I have indeed chosen a noble path in life.