This isn't exactly the beginning to The Journey to Heal Kurdistan. This is the beginning of the blog, however.
About six months ago, I was spending my summer at Portland State taking 15 credits and working three jobs. I liked the fact that I was being productive with my summer.
However, this wasn't the lifestyle that I wanted because I knew I was capable of more, even at 19. I began to become distracted by days, that became weeks and months, of self-reflection. I was still focused on school, but began to feel disconnected with all my work.
With my two-weeks-notice at Nordstrom's, came a spur-of-the-moment two-weeks-notice to Naartjie. I stopped writing and editing for others, and began writing for me. I had no expectations, I just wanted to figure it out...whatever it was.
I realized, within time, the disconnection I felt from my culture, as well. I spent my days sitting at local tea and coffee shops with books I never opened. I just wanted to remember what back home was like. On a daily basis, I tell people I am Kurdish. It would frustrate me that people didn't know what Kurdistan was. Ironically enough, even I had no idea what it was to be a Kurd. I forced my memories to the frontline of my mind through pictures, letters, and books...basically, anything and everything I could get my hands on.
I can't describe how it felt exactly; realizing that my origin would affect my passion so much. It became my passion.
For just under three years, I have known that I will become a cardiothoracic surgeon. I will work with the John Hopkins Institute for ARVD research in the future, as well. ARVD, also known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia, is a genetic, progressive heart condition in which the muscle of the right ventricle is replaced by fat and fibrosis, which causes abnormal heart rhythms. ARVD is the heart disease I will cure.
I used to be satisfied with this goal, but I know it's not the gist of what I'm really supposed to do. I want to start healing people now. No, I'm not very patient when it comes to this. Enter The Journey to Heal Kurdistan.
Everything connected faster than I could keep up. I was jumping cliffs to catch up, and will go back to fill the gaps and questions that remain. However, what I did figure out was this:
In June of 2010, I will return to Kurdistan, to bring awareness to the poor health systems, lack of medical technology, and weak health education there. So far, I am the only one leaving on this trip. I have more supporters than I can count, however.
When I leave, I will be filming a documentary and a video blog. I will update the video blog as much as possible (my goal is a minimum of 2-3 times a week). I will also take photos, that I will bring back to share. In my video blog, I will have interviews with health board members, health officials, medical professionals, and the President of Kurdistan, Iraq. I will also gather interviews with citizens who are and are not affected by the weak health system of Kurdistan.
My initial plan was to stay in Kurdistan for a duration of three months, trekking from hospitals, to private clinics, to government offices. I will stay as long as is necessary. I will take any support that is offered. Vocal support and wisdom is just as crucial to this project as financial support. This is truly difficult, but it is only the beginning to a long journey ahead.
I am not going into this project with too many expectations. I am, however, entering this with committment, dedication, and endless faith. I will not rest until I see the change that needs to be occurring.
This blog is to keep everyone informed and up-to-date in a time-sensitive manner. I will also be posting Q&A's, links to my other pages, and resources for those who are wanting to get involed!
I would also like to give many of you a heads up about potential internship opportunities with The Journey to Heal Kurdistan, so keep an eye out!
Find us on...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1454610129
Myspace: www.myspace.com/minameman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/minameman
Facebook Causes: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/413142/744856?m=71bb3202
Redundancy Redefined: http://redundancyredefined.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/the-kurdish-surgeon/
Thank you so much for all your incredible support! Every single person counts, and I sincerely mean that.
Mina S. Meman
