How Eugenio Changed My Life

Growing up I would have never imagined myself here. Long before I could consider medicine a possibility I had aspired to work alongside my father as a butcher. I was born in Merida, Mexico to a single mother. As the man of the house I began working at the age of seven cleaning windshields at stoplights and polishing shoes for any available change that people could spare. I came to America at age of twelve. My father had been anxiously waiting to meet me the day I arrived in Houston. My first challenge tested my capabilities at adapting to a foreign country without any family members to support me, other than my father who would spend most of the day at work, and learning a new language; however, I was oblivious to the real hardships and obstacles
I quickly took great liking to Eugenio as his story mirrored my own and that of my father, a migrant worker adapting to a foreign country in search of a better life for his family. While devising ways to help Eugenio I had asked to meet with brother Warren, an ophthalmologist. After examining Eugenio he agreed to do his surgery for 4,000 dollars and said he was confident Eugenio's vision could be restored. With time against us, but with an unrelenting spirit my companion and I came up a fundraiser for Eugenio. At the end of 4 weeks we raised 1,300 dollars and I asked to meet with brother Warren once more. His actions that day ignited the light that guided me hitherto. He was aware of Eugenio’s desire to return to his family in Mexico, but also knew his vision had worsened since he arrived to the U.S., so he agreed to do Eugenio’s surgery without cost and asked us to use the money we raised for Eugenio’s return to his family. It was through brother Warren’s kind actions that I witness the power and compassion of medicine; this sparked my desire to pursue medicine as my life's endeavor as I thought I could learn a skill and give of my skill to others. Before my mission came to an end, I promised myself that wherever life took me, I would always reach out to at-risk youth and dedicate time out of my schedule to serve those who otherwise would not have the means to see a doctor, those like