Young aspiring doctor writes book of inspiration after dropping out of medical school
MUCH to her surprise, young Shellon Messiah of Amelia’s Ward Linden, had gained a scholarship to the prestigious Texilla American University, to pursue a Degree in Medicine.

Things were looking up for the 18-year-old, who had successfully completed her secondary education at Mackenzie High School. She was proudly dressed in her scrubs and attended her dream school, every day looking through the tunnel of hope that one day she would become the doctor she always dreamt of being.

Unfortunately, the tunnel of hope suddenly turned a tunnel of dismay after Critchlow Labour College (CLC) was unable to continue paying her fees. With little financial backing, this aspiring doctor had to dock the boat and drop out in her fourth year, with two years remaining for completion. It was the hardest decision she had ever made, but the reality of limited financing wasn’t allowing her to complete the course.

After packing up and returning to Linden, she described that time as the most horrible phase of her life. “I was going through a horrible phase of life: setbacks, depression and hurt overpowered me and all my will was sapped. I had to leave my fourth year of medical school because I was unable to pay my tuition fee,” she related.

Shellon then realised she was not the only one rowing such a boat, there were others rowing boats of disappointment all around her and as our Guyanese saying goes, “When ya think ya deh bad, ya matty deh worse.” She decided to make the best of her situation and turn her storm into sunshine and hoped that maybe, she can be the sunshine in the lives of others suffering a similar fate.

She then began writing a book titled “Hurdles” as she realised many may have turned to perilous measures to deal with their pain, in most cases suicide. “The aim of the book is to encourage these people that they can overcome these life challenges, keep praying, keep pushing, keep working. You could be anything you want to become, you could get past this stage, all you have to do is make it past this hurdle,” she related.

The book tells stories of those who went through various situations but somehow made it out, so as to inspire those going through the same situation. It features those like herself, who had to drop out of school because of little financial backing, those who were abused, those who are unemployed, those who were hurt in relationships etc. I was looking for all kinds of ways to fight this depression and one day I got up and started writing. Writing poems and stories helped me whenever I feel down.”

The book has 10 chapters. The first chapter, ‘Dreams and Aspirations’, is a narrative of her very own story of wanting to become a doctor but her dream was short lived, and how she coped with the depression and the aftermath. In the chapter, she however fictionally put the ending as if she did end up returning to medical school and became the doctor she wants to become, maybe as a glimmer of hope for herself.

“I started with my story, dreams and aspirations, you know, when you almost reach there to become the doctor you always dreamt of and you start having a set of setbacks, and people are telling you to go for another career; to do this instead; that the oil company get the money- but your passion is medicine and you want to become a doctor,” she said.
At the end of each chapter which consists of short stories, there is an inspirational quote.

She is also partaking in quantitative data collection to scientifically ascertain the number of persons enduring the various trials residing in her community. She is hoping for it to be published in the New Year.

In the interim, Shellon is keeping busy by cooking meals and having them delivered on a daily basis for a living. She is also a part-time model.