I have grown up in poverty and in comfort. Around the age of 14, my mother developed an addiction to drugs and gambling. She also suffered from mental illness. These illnesses took control of her life. We fell into poverty. I watched her try to get through the situation and provide for her family. This was a never ending cycle of failure with no outlet. I could see she wanted to be a great mother and return to good health, she just didn’t know how. She didn’t have health insurance. Access to health care and the support necessary for her to break free of these illnesses were unavailable. Looking back, I believe if she could have received the care she needed, things would have been very different. Today, as I look to become a physician, I will
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I worked with individuals impacted by drug addiction. My team worked with Harvest Farm, a rehabilitation center for men located in Wellington, Colorado. I led the volunteer group, educating 10 volunteers on addiction and social issues. We spent a week in the spring of both 2013 and 2014 at Harvest Farm. I learned about the men’s stories, their regrets, current struggles, and their dreams for the future. I saw the same thing in them I saw in my mother: a desire to get better and be the best people they could, but a loss as to how. I realized my past has given me a unique perspective that allows me to connect with individuals who are impacted by these illnesses on a deeper level. As mental illness is so prevalent in society today, but still taboo, I know this experience provides a unique perspective and understanding that will be a great asset as I work with …show more content…
Individuals affected by them are not only trying to overcome the illness, but the stigma placed upon them in society. I see this stigma every day. As I work in St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center as a Phlebotomist and patient access specialist, I cringe when I hear co-workers mock patients who come in with suicidal thoughts. I feel this is rooted in a fear and lack of understanding of these illnesses. This is deeply saddening. I know we can change this atmosphere and continue to advance medicine and the care of these
I worked with individuals impacted by drug addiction. My team worked with Harvest Farm, a rehabilitation center for men located in Wellington, Colorado. I led the volunteer group, educating 10 volunteers on addiction and social issues. We spent a week in the spring of both 2013 and 2014 at Harvest Farm. I learned about the men’s stories, their regrets, current struggles, and their dreams for the future. I saw the same thing in them I saw in my mother: a desire to get better and be the best people they could, but a loss as to how. I realized my past has given me a unique perspective that allows me to connect with individuals who are impacted by these illnesses on a deeper level. As mental illness is so prevalent in society today, but still taboo, I know this experience provides a unique perspective and understanding that will be a great asset as I work with …show more content…
Individuals affected by them are not only trying to overcome the illness, but the stigma placed upon them in society. I see this stigma every day. As I work in St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center as a Phlebotomist and patient access specialist, I cringe when I hear co-workers mock patients who come in with suicidal thoughts. I feel this is rooted in a fear and lack of understanding of these illnesses. This is deeply saddening. I know we can change this atmosphere and continue to advance medicine and the care of these