Childhood experiences

[briellejee]

As I've read along, the parts that struck me the most was the author's childhood experiences, especially learning about his true father, his mother being harsh on him because of his Auntie, his Auntie giving him a hard time. Do you think these childhood experiences contributed somehow to his success later on in his life? Do you think if they didn't happen he would still be able to achieve what he had achieved later on? One instance for me is that if he didn't undergo that moment where he stood up against his Auntie, he wouldn't have been able to survive med school. What are other instances you can think of?

[Nisha Ward]

I agree that his experiences helped shape him but not just with his successes. With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him giving up some pretty great opportunities like working with Dr. Axelrod.

[briellejee]

I agree that his experiences helped shape him but not just with his successes. With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him giving up some pretty great opportunities like working with Dr. Axelrod.

Oh that's a good one! His experiences really shaped him and his attitude and character towards others. I do agree that those opportunities with Dr. Axelrod seemed promising, but I think it turned out fine on the author's part.

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

As I've read along, the parts that struck me the most was the author's childhood experiences, especially learning about his true father, his mother being harsh on him because of his Auntie, his Auntie giving him a hard time. Do you think these childhood experiences contributed somehow to his success later on in his life? Do you think if they didn't happen he would still be able to achieve what he had achieved later on? One instance for me is that if he didn't undergo that moment where he stood up against his Auntie, he wouldn't have been able to survive med school. What are other instances you can think of?

I definitely think these moments contributed to the author's success because they drove him to work harder to escape from adversity and the realities of growing up in poverty.

[Nisha Ward]

I agree that his experiences helped shape him but not just with his successes. With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him giving up some pretty great opportunities like working with Dr. Axelrod.

Oh that's a good one! His experiences really shaped him and his attitude and character towards others. I do agree that those opportunities with Dr. Axelrod seemed promising, but I think it turned out fine on the author's part.

Oh it did. Like his mother said, Dr. Douglas is very blessed. Everything seems to turn out well for him in the end.

[Wambui-nj]

I wouldn't say, Yes or No. I beleive you use your painful and hard past to propel you to achieve higher goals and prove your oppresors wrong. On the other hand, he could have used his past as an excuse to turn to self pity and keep whinning about his shortcomings. I wouldn't pin his success to his childhood experiences because it could have turned either way. It is purely about his will power and working hard.

[briellejee]

I wouldn't say, Yes or No. I believe you use your painful and hard past to propel you to achieve higher goals and prove your oppressors wrong. On the other hand, he could have used his past as an excuse to turn to self-pity and keep whining about his shortcomings. I wouldn't pin his success to his childhood experiences because it could have turned either way. It is purely about his will power and working hard.

Oh! your perspective is good! But I do think our past experiences contribute somehow, even his tenacity to prove others wrong came from his past experiences. But I do agree that it could've turned either way. Maybe he has a strong character that made him overcome those possible negative outcomes. I think, with your perspective in mind, it all boils down to his personality.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

As I've read along, the parts that struck me the most was the author's childhood experiences, especially learning about his true father, his mother being harsh on him because of his Auntie, his Auntie giving him a hard time. Do you think these childhood experiences contributed somehow to his success later on in his life? Do you think if they didn't happen he would still be able to achieve what he had achieved later on? One instance for me is that if he didn't undergo that moment where he stood up against his Auntie, he wouldn't have been able to survive med school. What are other instances you can think of?

I think of him having to not only take care of his sister, but to also manage the chores, going to the market, finish his school assignments and read ahead.

[Joytoo97]

Yes, the challenges pushed him to be more than what everybody was seeing in him that is a failure.

[Nisha Ward]

I wouldn't say, Yes or No. I believe you use your painful and hard past to propel you to achieve higher goals and prove your oppressors wrong. On the other hand, he could have used his past as an excuse to turn to self-pity and keep whining about his shortcomings. I wouldn't pin his success to his childhood experiences because it could have turned either way. It is purely about his will power and working hard.

Oh! your perspective is good! But I do think our past experiences contribute somehow, even his tenacity to prove others wrong came from his past experiences. But I do agree that it could've turned either way. Maybe he has a strong character that made him overcome those possible negative outcomes. I think, with your perspective in mind, it all boils down to his personality.

I completely agree with you both. It could have turned out either way, coming down ultimately to his will power and work ethic but Dr. Douglas does make it a point to somewhat emphasise how his past experiences have enabled him to succeed via the lessons he's learnt over time.

[AntonelaMaria]

As I've read along, the parts that struck me the most was the author's childhood experiences, especially learning about his true father, his mother being harsh on him because of his Auntie, his Auntie giving him a hard time. Do you think these childhood experiences contributed somehow to his success later on in his life? Do you think if they didn't happen he would still be able to achieve what he had achieved later on? One instance for me is that if he didn't undergo that moment where he stood up against his Auntie, he wouldn't have been able to survive med school. What are other instances you can think of?

Of course, our early life affects us and the environment we grow up in later on shows how we deal with life tribulations it depends on the case to a case will that be positive or negative. I don't know this may be a good question suited for someone in psychoanalysis background to explain it better.

[Wriley]

The author could have turned these experiences around and just felt sorry for himself. Later in life he would tell stories about the harsh realities of life. He did none of those things. He used the gifts God gave him and worked hard. The experience shaped but didn't define him.

[Brenda Creech]

I believe childhood experiences can play a big part in defining someone's life in many ways. The outcome for a person's life depends on how they interpret some of the most dramatic childhood experiences. Some will let the experience defeat them while others will be determined to do just the opposite and go for the gold, just as the author in this instance did. Everything he experienced during childhood was out of his control so he did not let them have an impact on what he set out to accomplish.

[Shilpa Paul]

The experiences of childhood have a long lasting and a deep impact on an individual. But it also depends on the choices one makes that makes him who he is. Experiences just made him strong and determined to face difficulties in life head on.

[Nisha Ward]

The experiences of childhood have a long lasting and a deep impact on an individual. But it also depends on the choices one makes that makes him who he is. Experiences just made him strong and determined to face difficulties in life head on.

Yup. I'd say it was a combination of both his experiences and the personal and professional choices that he made that led to his success.