If you had asked me about an academic career 3 years ago, I would
have laughed in your face. I had always
conceptualised academia to be all about labs and test-tubes. I had never really contemplated the human
element- that peoples’ life experiences could also be researched. Imagine my delight when I discovered that, in
medical education journals, people were actually quoted. About their feelings. Nary a centrifuge in sight!
Well. For the first time, I was thrilled at the possibility of doing research
that I could really enjoy; research that could celebrate creativity and lateral
thinking. It blew my mind. So, also for
the first time, I thought that hey, maybe I could be Prof. Gordon one day. By
studying ways to inspire students; to teach them in fun and novel ways. To find
ways of getting them to really absorb the fact that patients are people, with
lives, children, emotions- not just a liver in bed number 2. And that other people
might be interested in what I have to say/ what I do.
I have also realised that I could actually do it. For the first time, I have put self-doubt in
an old shoebox, in the furthest corner of the top of the cupboard, where it can
get all cobwebby and dust-crusted. I have no idea how long it could take; how
it actually works; how much work is involved, but I am ready for the challenge. Something fundamental has shifted.
I am fortunate in that I have the most amazing cadre of cheerleaders
behind me. This is how I know I can do
it. Foremost among these has been my
dad, who has always predicted successes that I would achieve, without me ever
having similar inklings. He has the most
unwavering, (naturally biased) faith in what I can achieve. So Daddy, this goal is partly for you. Naturally,
my adoring and adorable husband is as firmly in the Chivaugn camp as I am in
the Adalbert camp. He is also awakening
to the fact that he is capable of sublime success (ok he’s not
quite there, but I certainly know this about him), in what he really loves,
which is not medicine. So look out world- here comes a flurry of activity in 10
Livingstone Road!
