Opportunity

Jan 22 2017
by Neel Desai, M.D. 

Opportunity. It’s a word that means so much to me for so many reasons.

Some background history/context about my family: My parents were immigrant physicians from rural villages in India and didn’t have much money when they came to America in the early 1970s. My father started his Internal Medicine residency in the States while my mother was pregnant with me and finishing medical school in India. My mother later joined my father when I was almost 2-years-old.

It still blows my mind to know my father didn’t see his first-born son in person for the first 2 years of his life–but I understand–because it was a sacrifice and opportunity to make a better life for all of us. Forty years later–they have had successful careers in medicine–and 3 sons who grew up to be successful physicians with loving and supportive partners. I was given the opportunity to become a husband, father, and physician. My brothers were given opportunities to become successful physicians as well. 

In writing The OI Connection, l learned about many that were given opportunities and many that were denied opportunities. There was a time when my 7-year-old son would be treated differently because of his OI–due to his physical disability. As I learned from some affected by OI–their school days were characterized by bullying, isolation, ignorance, prejudices, and the constant message of being “less than” any of the “normal” students. 

Fast forward to the 21st Century and modern day. Today, my son has an integrated plan for a safe learning environment–from an aide to protect him from possible breaks–to a plan for medical infusions, specialized therapies, and missing school for surgeries. Due to this integrated learning environment he has excelled–and in 2nd grade is reading at a 5th grade level, loves space, and wants to be an astronomer/astronaut. He was given an opportunity and is making the best of it. 

But all this gives me pause. What if my son lived in an earlier time? What if he weren’t given opportunities? He would have been labeled as too much to handle for mainstream schools and/or society and pushed aside to a “less than” education, and a different destiny.

Fortunately, my son has had numerous opportunities to succeed and he has made the best of them–whether it be with his medical and surgical treatment, his education, or just socializing with his peers. And he is a happy kid and never feels “less than”. All because–just like my parents, my brothers, and me–we were given an opportunity. 

It was so enlightening to see what was possible for kids and adults with OI in my book–if just given an opportunity to achieve their potential. 

My wife and I have dedicated our lives to providing opportunities for my son and the OI community. It may be the difference between the next great singer, athlete, states-person, teacher, entrepreneur, advocate, doctor, nurse, and yes, astronaut/astronomer–which would make the world a better and beautiful place. 

Opportunities. I hope and pray for many in his life to make his dreams come true. I hope and pray my OI families get many opportunities to make their lives better. 

And I hope you are given plenty to make good on yours too.