Victor Chukwueke, a medical student
University of Toledo has every reason to be grateful to God for where he
is currently.
Chukwueke describes how he was
treated as an outcast and ostracized in Nigeria because of a
condition causing large tumors to grow on his face and how he
is headed down a path to help others.
Chukwueke’s parents sought medical
help, but there was nothing the doctors in Nigeria could do for him. So his
parents asked missionary nuns for help, and at 15 years old, they brought
him to Michigan.
He underwent nine
surgeries, done pro-bono by a Michigan doctor, and from there,
Chukwueke realized he wanted to do the same for others. He’s now months
away from becoming a doctor.
But something major had to happen
for him to go to medical school as he couldn’t start immediately because
he wasn’t a U.S. citizen,”.
So Chukwueke worked with Michigan
Senator Carl Levin on a private bill, granting him permanent residency.
Private bills are rare to pass Congress. In fact, it hadn’t happened in
two years, but on the last day of the legislative session, Congress passed the
bill. President Obama signed it into law in 2012.
“Tears of joy,” said Chukwueke. “And now I
say, ‘Now, I can go to medical school.”
Now, Chukwueke awaits residency
match day on March 17 to see if and where he will get
his training. From there, Chukwueke plans to use the skills
he learned to help others in Nigeria.
“I experienced firsthand how a lack of
medical care can affect life,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment