Building my Future- One brick at a time Part 3
A Life's Ambition
Having dreams and ambitions is the driving force which propels people to improve themselves, and helps to motivate individuals to move forward. Without any dreams or goals, people tend to wander through life aimlessly not knowing what they want out of life. Sometimes, they donít even know if they are going in the right direction.
Most people feel that their dreams are only some distant illusion, far off in the distance like a mirage. However, I beg to differ. I am a firm believer that if you want something hard enough and long enough and you give 10000%- you can achieve your dreams and make them a reality. My most memorable phrase is:
For those of you just joining my story here is the Introductory Post
For those joining me again thanks for coming back! I really appreciate your support.
To continue, I guess now is a good time as any to let you in on my decision as to what I decided to do about the management of the diabetes crisis facing us in Qatar.
The Diabetes Decision
For those that have read the first two parts of the blog, you will know that diabetes in the Middle East is a major issue. It is so critical that the Qatar National Research Fund has made it one of their National Research Priorities. Just to restate the facts, here is a brief overview
1. Diabetes affects 25% of people in the GCC
2. Every 20 seconds someone loses a leg due to diabetes somewhere in the world
3. Access to specialist care in Qatar is limited with appointments on average 13 months for a follow up.
At this point, I assume that most people would be rubbing their heads, wondering how on earth they could cope with their condition, or what could be done to make this easier. For me, it was simple. Build a Specialist Diabetes Hospital
WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY!! Say that again! YOU WANT TO BUILD A DIABETES HOSPITAL?
Yes, you heard me correctly. When I initially decided to build this hospital back in 2006, there were no inclinations to build a diabetes hospital. In fact, after speaking to some of my colleagues, the need for a stand alone hospital for this purpose had been discussed by several people but utlimately, plans had been shelved and forgotten. Some thought it was too much of a hassle and abandoned the idea.
So what makes you think that you could pull this off? Well, thats a good question! I do know that I'm very stubborn and determined when I put my mind to something, especially something as important as this! My Mum always reminds me that when I want to do something, I will find a way to do it.
With the bit between my teeth, I decided to press onward and being discovering the best ways to approach this here in Qatar. Now as a sidenote, doing business in Qatar may not be as straight forward as you might think. Noone can open a business in Qatar without having a local "Partner" in which the "Official" split is 51%-49% in favour of the local Qatari.
As the time approaced to meet the first potential partner, I needed to adjust to the unfamiliarity of this road less trod. It was certainly the beggining of a long and winding road.
The this first potential partner was introduced to me through one of my patients, who often asked me if I would be interested in opening up my own practice. As the time approached to meet him, I gave him the quick elevator pitch on the problem, the potential solution, and our partnership. I knew I needed to explain clearly the problem with diabetes, and the lack of care was obviously a "no brainer". However, getting everyone to see it from my point of view certainly was going to take more convincing, especially if they would be parting with some of their money too in the process!
The meeting actually went very well. He putt me in touch with a fellow Scot (for those of you who might not know I'm Scottish) to work out some more details to present at a future meeting.
We did all that we needed to and prepared the plans for the centre. Despite spending all of this time on the project, he actually refused to help us set up this exciting project. This would be my first attempt at opening my hospital. It would certainly not be the last attempt!
Stay tuned for the next Instalment......I'm literally watching my dream being built one brick at a time.
It would be my honor if you would join me on this exciting journey.I'm so excited to share where my passion for helping patients has taken me, and just how far along I am in achieving my lifeís ambition.
This post is an OFFICIAL PORT on @dreemsteem's
"X Marks the Post" Treasure Hunt. If you'd like to become a treasure
hunter, an official stop, or a sponsor -
Follow the map to begin your journey! By the way, she loves good
comments even more than upvotes - so be
sure to say Hi!
Thank you for being willing to share this amazing accomplishment on our hunt! I'm hoping that allowing the other "pirates" a little glimpse into your life at your challenges and solutions, and your determination - will ignite the fire in their own journeys (as @steemfit4life mentioned above!!!) What you're doing is so important - and so impressive!! I'm honored that you're not only a port for my treasure hunt... but a friend! :)
Exciting stuff @robmenzies!!! :)
The passionate mortar is what is making it possible to keep the bricks coming.
It certainly is!! living, eating, and breathing it, with 10000% conviction in it.
It's always interesting to get a local perspective from a nonlocal, which is intimately familiar with both your own culture and the one in question.
Why is diabetes such an issue there?
Also, assuming it's mostly diabetes 2, isn't it easier and less burdensome to use diet as the cure, rather than inefficient healthcare systems that just throw expensive medications and surgeries at the problem, when there are much better methods?
Just a side note, I assumed you were from somewhere in the UK when I noticed you called your mom, mum...lol
Not only is diabetes an issue here but the whole of the middle east 25% of the GCC is diabetic, and the vast majority of that is from lifestyle, eating too much rice, fast food, chocolate, and not enough exercise. Mind you that may be due in some part to the weather (it gets up to 50 C here in the summer).
Very little facilities provided for adopting a healthy lifestyle over here.
Yes you are correct the vast majority of this is what is referred to as type 2, but there is increasingly more and more kids with Maturity onset diabetes in Youth (MODY), and that's even before considering the type 1's, or the Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
you will be surprised to know Qatar is ranked 13th in the World as far as health systems is concerned by the WHO. It has nothing to do with inefficient health systems, Would you say the UK, or US has inefficient systems?? yet they have just as much an issue as they do over here, 8% of the US or UK population versus 25% of the local population...... still far more diabetics in the West than there is here.
The problem we have here is that the diabetes for many many years has been mismanaged, and we have many people dealing with the serious complications associated with it. In fact the whole purpose of this hospital is to be a prevention centre once we can stem the flow of complications, but also to develop a lifestyle approach, and behavioural modification to reduce blood sugars and hopefully reverse complications.
You assumed correct I am from the Uk, also given the fact I mention I was Scottish might have been a give away!!
I love following along with this and watching your dream materialize. It re-ignites my dreams when I read about your pursuit of yours.
I am glad you feel inspired by it, never let go of your dreams just because you feel they aren't attainable just now. like I always say
"nothing is impossible it just hasn't been made possible yet."
Good luck with yours
I'm glad you didn't give up - I love the grit and determination!! Such an important journey you're taking for so many people :)
Thanks @andysantics
You're a saint @robmenzies! My whole family has diabetes and I believe I may be destined that way also...
Although all good at the minute I'm sure one day I will have to watch my diet. My younger cousin almost died from undiagnosed diabetes and a large quantity of alcohols :(
Thanks @praada, I wouldn't say that!! I saw a desperate need for something and instead of just letting it go I actually did something about it.
As far as your destiny with diabetes, It is totally preventable and for those with diabetes reversible also. If any of your families doctors say you cant reverse it, it's time to get a new doctor.
Here is a paper talking about a Low Carb Lifestyle and Diabetes Remission from March this year so you can't get much more current than that.
I didn't know it was reversible! I think people here just get told to use insulin and don't ask questions... I will do some research.
For type 2 certainly it is reversible.
For type 1 it can be managed to an extent that you only need to take a mininal amount of insulin necessary to function.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by rob menzies from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.