Why am I doing it?

In the past months, several individuals asked me "why am I doing it?" Why did I leave a good paying job right in the midst of a global economic crises?  Why did I choose to go back to school and incur more student loans? Why did I walk away from financial security when my family was faced with an additional commitment to heal our mom? She got sick without any health insurance.

Why?

I am pursuing my PhD and also work on my commitment to bring genetic counseling to the Philippines simply because I want to LIVE A LIFE BEYOND MY SELF DOUBT.

I have this lingering fear that as biotechnology and genomic diagnostic capabilities continue to advance, these tools can potentially be applied without taking the time to ponder the ethical, social and legal consequences.  It is probable that individuals, sub-populations, ethnic groups are targeted, stigmatized and will face significant challenges to live a life they love.  I cannot let this happen.  Not on my watch.

I see for myself as an individual who educates and set up training programs in genetic counseling in emerging countries.  I do have other personal goals too but I'll focus my share specifically on the topic of genetic counseling. In case you are wondering, genetic counselors are health care professionals who are trained to address the ethical, legal and social implications of being diagnosed and/or making the decision to pursue genetic testing. There are over 30 training program in North America and a handful in other countries.  To know more about training program availability, please check out the National Society of Genetic Counselors website.

AND if you know of another way to expand the ethics literacy in the global sector, than do let me know! You are welcome to peruse the working draft of our website - www.globalhealthgenetics.org - and please freely share your comments and suggestions.

" In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. "                                                                                ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Excerpt from homeafhome.blogspot.com 11-23-11 post

This year, I attended the American Public Health Association  meeting in Washington DC.  I went to several talks on refugee awareness, their rights (or lack thereof), and the obstacles they are facing as they resettle in countries like the United States. Indeed, it is very humbling to live in a country where we do have the foundation of freedom and starting anew.  While acknowledging the various groups of people who continue to advocate for equal rights, the fact of being in this country provides the space for voices to be expressed and the opportunity to be heard.

During one of the afternoons in DC, I decided to take a walk and visit the new MLK memorial.  Etched on the marble wall, I'd like to share with you one of Dr. King's quotes as it tremendously inspired me.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."  ~ MLK

May you and everyone around you have an amazing
LOVE-filled thanksgiving.

Hugs and Smiles,
Mercy

"Time bows to authentic commitment" ~ Will Hewett

Right after the eventful 11-11-11, I attended an all day TEDxRainier 2011 independent and inspiring talks at Kane Hall (UW).  Speaker topics ranged from 'culture rethink' to 'evolutionary change makers' to 'beyond frontiers.'  These people are making a difference by pushing the edges of their personal boxes to shift the already always perspective of the reality they are born into.

I especially like Jim Sorenson's question to the audience " Is my perspective giving me the results that I want? " In some areas of my life, my answer to this is a resounding YES but in other areas ... well, its as dim as I can imagine an infinite darkness to be. Our notion about reality is in conflict when our present-need-to-embrace reality butt heads with our perceived reality.  His top three lessons were (1) Embrace Reality, (2) Have a Context for the Reality and (3) Do the work!  Its the last one that trips people up ... When it comes down to it.  People actually don't do the work and not because they don't know how; but simply - they don't want to!  Lots of Words and NO actions to back it up.

This same mantra was shared with speakers, Patti Dobrowolski and Amy Jo Martin.  I loved Amy's visual image of an "integrity compass" and aligning ourselves with our truest self! Work, Family and Self.  Patti then requested all of us to draw our dreams into reality.  Well, I did mine! As she shared with us the story of Joe, I started drawing my current state of being in terms of relationships with myself, family, friends, and career and the future I want to live into.  Lets just say that the picture I drew has a big heart on it with a family of my own :) Yes, I am loving it .... and I now need to rewire my brain to transform my initial perception that this life is not possible for me to a perspective that this LIFE is what makes MY LIFE worthy :) I can SEE IT, BELIEVE IT, and NOW ACT ON IT!

We had a surprise guest visit by Rick Steves as he was an amazing replacement for one of the confirmed speakers who couldn't make it.  Such an inspiring talk indeed!  He showed us pictures of his travels and his undying love of culture transcends through his words.  As Mr. Steves said eloquently "Fear is for those people who doesn't travel" and the measure of a human being's experience on earth is how much he/she had traveled.

There were other speakers there who spoke about the future and how the designs of the present makes everything we dream of so tangible.  From the Human Genome Project to cultivating bamboos, the paradigm is indeed shifting.

I truly appreciated Andy Himes' vulnerability as he shared the story of his mother.

I got choked up watching the 2 minute documentary video showed by Chris Jordan and the profound message on what is happening in the Gyre.

I want to high-five with the monkey and the shark in front of an explosion to express my awesomeness as shown by Joe Justice. 

I admire Chrystie Hill's public confession for stealing a book during her childhood because she loved it too much to let go.

I can go on and on ...

These messages are my needed fuel to propel me forward.

Rest assured -

I am indeed taking on Paul Shoemaker's challenge to look in the "depths of my human passion and the breath of my connectedness."

AND I am declaring my chosen life mantra as shared by the Interfaith Amigos' (i.e., Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Imam Jamal Rahman) to be:

" The transcendent ONE awakens within each of us as our God. Its all ONE as I am as I am." 

2010-2011 Whirl Wind Adventure

Wow .. two years almost passed without any posts from ME. Excellent!!! This must mean that I am busy living life that I forgot to write about it ... oh well ...Truth is ... I started my PhD program training at the UW Institute for Public Health Genetics and totally drove my life into books, journal articles and long nights of writing at least 10 page papers!!!

My nephew "TomTom"

Before I go into some details, I want to share an exquisite gift bestowed upon our family. My all-smiles-nephew "Thomas Patrick or TomTom" was born on March 24, 2010. Since my blogging was non-existent last year, I will spare the monthly baby photo update but will only post his most recent (an amazing personal shopper if I may add) photo at 18 months. Such a cutie pie indeed!!!

Back to graduate school update: I am happy to report that one of the biggest hump (taking the preliminary exam) is over and done with (June 2011). I am now gearing myself to take on the next biggest hump (taking my general exam - hopefully May 2012). Better make this timeline show up in reality and thus committee must be formed by Dec 2011/January 2012.

Post-Exam Party
with my Grad Cohort

A special shout out to the MPH in public health genetics students. They are already done and are moving on --- while the PhD'ers like me are still sticking around.

Megan, Nick and I
Home Away From Home 2010

On Travel

2010 - traveled to the Philippines and stayed there for a month (June). My primary mission was to finalized the curriculum for the MS genetic counseling program :) So awesome to share that the University of the Philippines Board of Regents approved the proposed curriculum in January 2011. Yippppeeeee!!!! I also accepted a job at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and I love .. love .. LOVE the people that I work with and the difference they are making for humanity.

The Pioneer Genetic Counseling Students
in the Philippines

2011 - traveled to the Philippines again to teach for 3 months (June - Sept). We accepted nine PIONEER students (so proud of them!) to begin their MS in Genetic Counseling training at UP Manila. This is very timely since the Philippine Genome Center is recently established and thus, we surely need additional health care providers knowledgeable on the ethical, legal and social issues on the application of genetics for disease prevention and health promotion. The amazing Mary Guiden at UW communications wrote a great piece entitled "Around the World, with Medical Genetics" and super stoked about this publicity for our department program.

Mitra and his family at 2010
Home Away From Home Event

On Another Note

The Home Away From Home thanksgiving event continues to flourish and with this work, I was chosen as the American Public Health Association 2011 recipient of the Trong D. Nguyen Memorial Award For Student Leadership. In addition, my volunteer work at the International Rescue Committee Seattle chapter and the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research also provided great support for my commitment at the local level.

To end this "its-about-time-you-share" post, I want to leave you with an inspiring statement that fuels my inner spirit now and - hopefully - for years to come.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." ~ Goethe