Evidence Based Health Care and Me
The little brain that could
Life has been amazing and I wanted to update those who have wondered what happened to me.
I matriculated at Oxford October 15th. As the physician from Cambridge standing beside me so aptly stated, it was my ultimate screw you, I made it anyway statement to the world… from a person with a TBI… Others can make it too, the race does not always fall to the fastest and the brightest. The determined ones that persevere also have a place but they procure it at great cost, almost never without opposition and always with help from those that surround them with hope and compassion. The greater price in my eyes was to remain a dependent victim without respect or autonomy. I was spurred on to not accept the victim mentality but to reach higher just as I was until I could do better, with the help of God I shall continue… Really thankful to Oxford for accepting me, their kind ,helpful support is awesome…
I got here through some unusual circumstances which just goes to show that even when you think it is over destiny is waiting to be claimed.
My first challenge came when I was dumped without pay by a spinal organization who decided to focus on being a patient’s rights org to promote non FDA approved stem cells paid for by vulnerable patients. There was ethical disagreement and I was devastated. I was later to take neuroscience, genomics, bioethics and some cell biology courses where I learned how fortunate I was to escape. At the same time the university I applied to had funds cut and the department that welcomed me was phased out.
My sponsors and friends urged me to apply to Oxford. At first I was too discouraged to try but then I saw the Center for Evidence Based Medicine. This was exactly what I was looking for as I determined to find ways to put evidence into practice. I applied and was accepted.
It is interesting here at Oxford, they are gracious and incorporate an atmosphere of learning without disdain. It is a haven for curious outspoken people to share ideas and an Oasis for those of us who want to do science and medicine with ethics and excellence.
Aaron and Thomas, our classmates arranged for us to go to a lovely dinner at St Cross…my first. I ended up sitting next to the college Master, Sir Mark Jones, he was a great dinner companion and very charming. His friend was a medical professor who has also taken some EBM classes. We shared with them that EBHC was positioned to benefit and influence the world even to third world countries.
From this meeting I learned ways in which insulin could be kept cold in villages in Asia with no electricity. We can build solar refrigerators for very little money and the people can run them. It will save lives. In my life patients, principles and people matter.
Those of us from EBHC shared how we got there and some of our backgrounds it was beautiful to see how each of us will have the opportunity to be a change maker in our corners of the world.
I want to encourage you all to follow your dream and remember there is a place for you!
