All of us have felt like the odd one out at some point in our lives, experiencing the unsettling feeling of not fitting in, or that something is “wrong” with us. The way we handle those feelings, however, changes based on who we are and our life experiences.
As doctors, one of our biggest jobs is not just saving lives, but forming meaningful relationships with individuals to fully understand, appreciate, and look past the surface-level differences that separate us in order to find humanity in all.
For our first essay, we were asked to honestly and authentically reflect on a time when we felt as though we were the odd one out. Doing so allows us to recognize the influence that language and perception have on those categorized as “outsiders” because of their differences, while also understanding our feelings, actions, and experiences, which is ultimately crucial to how we will treat others based on their unique experiences and differences.
“The Golden Tradition”
First Draft:
Final Draft:
