A Meaningful March

 March service hours: 3 hours

Total semester service hours: 5 hours

March continued the trend of recent months and kept me very busy. Between medical school applications, MCAT prep, and the Pharmacology modules, I was constantly trying to efficiently allot my time in the best possible ways. Despite being so preoccupied, March was filled with many great moments and positivity as well. I was able to fully resume my exercise routine and play soccer again which surely had a positive impact on the month and my studies.

Our Academic schedule consisted of a lot of material that sparked my interest. Through the end of the Neuro module and then moving on to the Psych module, we were able to learn about the powerful nature of the brain and neurotransmitters. The brain never ceases to amaze me with its impact on perception and complexity. This theme carried through to the medications for depression and other psychological disorders. Although we have a good understanding of their effects and these disorders, the medications seemed more trial and error oriented than ever. I think this is part of why these topics intrigue me so much because there is still clearly so much we have to learn about the brain and how to treat these tricky illnesses. 

These modules and how the brain works had additive importance and relevance to my life as of late too because of my grandmother. My grandmother, "Meme", recently suffered a major stroke during a carotid artery surgery that unfortunately had very low risk of this adverse event occurring. For someone as remarkably mobile as she was for 90, it has been very tough for her to adjust to things like her decreased mobility, speech difficulty, and lack of right hand usage. Some of my most fond memories of March have been time we have spent together with Meme. I was able to think of a way she could help her right hand and recovery while doing something she has always loved, drawing and artwork. 

Much to my delight and a little bit surprise, she could not get enough of it. I held her hand in mine and guided her through the drawing of several animals for over an hour and a half. Knowing her love of birds, I knew her favorite drawing was undoubtedly going to be the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. She has always enjoyed feeding the birds and watching them, fascinated with their beauty. Her face would light up as the drawing would come together and we would laugh as I joked that the bird "has some attitude", referring to his ruffled feathers on his forehead. I look forward to having more special moments in the near future with Meme and trying to help her on her road to recovery.

Aside from that, I was able to volunteer again in Second Harvest to prepare meals again for those in need. As always, the people there were a delightful bunch and made the experience another great one. I will keep you all posted as I tackle more volunteer opportunities in the month of April.

Until next time,

Edward Benjamin


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