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Editor's note: Tonight's "Making a Difference" story was suggested by KNBC reporter Jinah Kim, who first met Kellie Lim in April and brought her story to the network's attention. We asked her to blog about Kellie in this space. Tonight on the broadcast, NBC's George Lewis will introduce you to this remarkable young lady.
Whenever I'm exhausted from working too much, or my back aches, or I'm angry at the world -- I think of Kellie Lim. And then the complaint that was at the tip of my tongue does a guilty retreat.
Kellie is truly one of the most amazing people I've ever met. I had the pleasure of meeting her when I interviewed her for her first national television debut. We met her at UCLA in mid-April and found a tranquil garden setting where we could begin recording our interview. My photographer sat her down on a flat rock and we started talking. Halfway through our 20-minute discussion, she shifted in her seat, a slightly pained look on her face. I said, "Is everything OK, Kellie?" And she replied,"Oh yes - it's just that it's a little uncomfortable for me to sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time with my prosthetics." Feeling terrible for not noticing this earlier, I apologized and told her we could move locations. But she protested with a big, friendly smile, saying, "I need to get used to uncomfortable. After all, I'm going to be 'on my feet' all day tending to patients!" This positive, "don't worry about me" attitude is what defines Kellie.
Kellie is a triple amputee. She has one arm and two fingers. The rest of her limbs were eaten up with gangrene when she was 8 years old, by a rare, deadly bacterial infection that seized her body and left her for dead. It's a miracle she's even alive.
Kellie could have used her condition as an excuse to skirt by life, not doing much. Instead, she did the exact opposite. She pushed herself, excelled in her studies and in her senior year of high school took exams to get into not just Medical School - but Law School AND Business School! Of course, she aced every exam and could have gotten into just about any school she wanted. She chose UCLA Medical School.
It's not that she hasn't had tough times. She's had plenty. But she doesn't like to talk about them too much. Trust me - I tried. What she did tell me about was her anger and discouragement at being rejected from one medical school, whose administrators told her they didn't think she could ever become a successful doctor with her "disabilities"; her sadness at the loss of her mother, who recently passed away after years of blindness and illness; her frustration with dates who don't give her the time of day after seeing her prosthetics.
Well, today, Kellie has no time for those bad feelings. Because today she's graduating from medical school as a full-fledged doctor. A pediatrician, no less, who'll take care of ailing children - much like she once was.
What's ahead for her? 30 hour shifts as a resident. Children who will coil away from her two fingers and one arm. Parents who will question her ability to treat their kids. Difficulty drawing blood or inserting IVs. Constant ulcers on her legs from rubbing against the prosthetics all day. And so on.
But Kellie's up for the challenge. And knowing Kellie, she won't just do well - she'll be stellar.
Photo caption: Kellie Lim smiles after trying on her graduation gown for an NBC News camera crew.
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What an inspiration, thanks for sharing Kellie's story. I lost my right arm in a mountain bike accident 4 years ago and am currently attending my first year of medical school at UBC in British Columbia, Canada.I was also right handed and am learning to use my left for everything. I find it very encouraging to hear about someone else who is in medical school with similar and even more extensive challenges than myself.I would love to get in contact with Kellie to gain some insights on creative ways to perform medical procedures with one arm.
Way to go, Kellie!
Bill Schlamp Prince George, BC, Canada (Sent Jun 4, 2007 11:21:57 AM)
Hi Kellie,
Congrats. on becoming a pediatrician. You gave me more hope than I've had in 9 yrs. 9 yrs. ago I had 6 strokes, paralyzing my right side. Luckilly my brain is working well. I was an R.N. for 33 yrs. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 44 yrs.Now I'm ambulating with a quad cane. Now I'm out of the wheelchair mostly I really would like to work as a nurse again!
I have to repeat the entrance exam again. Because of the paralysis my right arm, hand,fingers are contacted. My right foot has foot drop and my toes are contracted. I've learned to do most of my ADL with my left side. If you have any helpful suggestions I'd gladly take them. If you would like to communicate with me let me know.
Sue
susan wagner farmington hills mi. (Sent Jun 2, 2007 8:09:11 PM)
Thank you SO much for posting this article! How encouraging and uplifting it is, especially for my many students. I am an American who has lived and taught at the same university in Jiangxi, China for over seven years. My students are all Chinese, wonderful and I love them very much! One of the big problems I constantly see is their depression and loss of hope just because they didn't pass some exam that kept them from attending the "key" university they wanted to. Many of them feel like their lives are over or not worth much because of what they feel is their failure/s. Most of them have their tuitions and all expenses provided by their families. They haven't worked before accept to study for exams. This huge competitive society causes all kinds of anxiety within its citizens, particularly it's students, to achieve and succeed. But in my opinion, most of them have an unrealistic and unhealthy idea of what success is. Many of them also just believe that hours memorizing materials to pass a test to get a certificate is the main purpose of their education, so that they can get that coveted good paying job and the security they want behind that. This article and this amazing woman helps me to show my students the determination and grit that it takes to do and become something and someone successful and amazing, in spite of difficulties and physical limitations that my normal, healthy students couldn't even imagine. Thank you for sharing Dr. Lim's story. I am sharing it with my students this week before I head back home to the States for my summer vacation! It's not just about their motivation but this article also points out the ongoing prejudice that exists toward the handicapped and disabled. How thankful I am for laws that help them to get the jobs that they pursue, but that, of course, is not enough! The hearts and minds of people, of employers, and the individual public have to change. I personally know of students here in China who's families have sacrificed greatly to send a child who has some kind of disability, a withered arm or deformed leg, just so they can get the "prized education" to take care of their families in the future when they graduate... but I've sadly learned from others, even leaders, that if they have any of these visible problems, mostly the reality is that it is highly unlikely that they will get that coveted, "decent" job that they have worked and studied so hard to get. They might be offered the interview over the phone or application sent in, but once the defect is seen or known, the position will have probably already been filled. Still they have paid this great price for their education. How sad!! It makes my heart ache. I realize the difficulties that my students face, and will continue to face as they graduate and move on out of their relatively safe environment into the competitive pathways of society... but this story will be a wonderful example of overcoming even the most seemingly impossible obstacles to a truly rich life of serving others and being a blessing to those she meets. Thank you for just one more example of what is possible!!
Connie Gibson, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (Sent Jun 1, 2007 9:45:44 PM)
Hello everyone,
Kellie is an inspiration for us all! I personally know reporter Jinah Kim and am so proud of her for making the extra effort to tell Dr. Lim's story. My name is Elizabeth Espinosa, a reporter for Fox 11 News in Los Angeles ...I know, a competitor right? But not exactly...you see, journalists who are fearless and willing to seek out the truth and tell inspiring stories such as that of Dr. Lim also deserve recognition and should be encouraged and supported by their peers.
So often I hear at the gym, at the grocery store..you name it...viewers are always complaining there's too much "paris hilton" coverage and not enough of these stories. Well, to you I say speak up, be heard, the news business only covers what it believes you the viewer wants to hear.
George Lewis as always, you did a great job! Dr. Lim, you make us all proud, and make me realize there is more potential in each one us than we often acknolwedge, you are proof of it! And by the way, your Mr. Right will be one of the luckiest men alive on earth. I applaud you and thank you for telling your story. I know your mother is smiling from above! Best- EE
Elizabeth Espinosa from Los Angeles, CA (Sent Jun 1, 2007 8:30:16 PM)
Great story, inspiring, excellent job Jinah!
(Sent Jun 1, 2007 6:52:12 PM)
Kellie, I'm a prosthetist living in Minnesota. You should never have to get used to "uncomfortable." I know little about your history, but I do know that your prosthesis should never give you ulcers. If provider tells you to "get used to your legs (prosthetics) being uncomfortable," you need to question the providers knowledge, experience, abilities. Congratulations on you recent academic achievements!
Cale Konetchy (Sent Jun 1, 2007 1:51:29 PM)
No disrespect intended to Dr. Lim, the point of your story here, but; the question I need to ask is - "Who's idea was it to have 'residents' ( Interns ? ) training through 30 - hour shifts ?? I've heard of such things, but - as a potential patient; how can you trust a doctor whom learned much of what they know while tired ( Exhausted ? ), forced to work 30 hours straight @ a time ? We obscess over competition in our society ! when I was in the military, they also harped on 'operators' proving how tough they could be; to the detriment of their ability to ( - by being 'worn out'. ) effectively engage & defeat an enemy force. Could this also be why medical malpractice suits are skyrocketing ( Resulting in massive health care costs, eclipsing inflation every year ! ) ?
Mike Moran; Derry, NH (Sent Jun 1, 2007 1:04:04 PM)
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