A broken leg is usually a kid's biggest nightmare, but for Ahmad, it's been a source of inspiration. This Focus Program student is using his experience to motivate his journey toward becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
The Orthopedics + Sports Medicine program attracted me because I broke my leg visiting my grandparents in Montreal. I fell when I was skateboarding and completely shattered it. The Canadian doctors couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I was stuck with a cast on my leg for six months. Eventually, I went to see my dad's friend in France who was able to do a new operation that had me up and walking the next day. It really inspired me to try and help other people because I wanted to give other people the care I received. I want to be an orthopedic surgeon when I grow up. I've done a lot of research, actually. I talked to my dad's friend who did the operation in France a lot about his job and his work.
It also taught me that a lot of medicine is still very flawed. I think I learned a lot about communication and how important that is, too. I didn't realize how much an injury could shape me so much as a person. It sounds weird, but if I had the choice to go back and not break my leg, I'd still break it. Even though it caused me so much pain, it ended up being completely inspiring.
The program here is very unique because it's not a typical classroom experience. Here, it's faced paced — in the best way — and so interactive. They're always challenging our critical thinking skills. We're never just memorizing things. For example, one day we learn about hearts, and the next day we're dissecting them.
My dad's job requires that my family move every two years. It's very hard, but it also gives me a lot of strength because I get to adapt to different cultures. In that way, I feel like EXPLO's community is very unique because I get to work with and understand people from other places, too.
Charlotte Steinberg