Childhood Dreams

Post what you wanted to be when you were little.  Let's find out what happens next and how it is all connected!

Comments

[Kate]

When I was little, I had two big dreams: to be a famous ballerina, and to work for the U.N.

My weekly ballet classes were the foundation for the first dream; I loved going to class once a week, and couldn't imagine anything better than dancing every day, hearing people clap for me in my tutu, and getting paid for it.

My mother’s friend—a U.N. worker who wrote letters to my mother from places far away—provided the foundation for the second dream. With fondness and a hint of reverence, my mother read aloud her letters, which detailed a life that sounded intriguingly unfettered and full of adventure. I doubt I even knew what “U.N.” stood for, or what working for them entailed; I just knew the job required traveling all over the world, speaking another language, and sending postcards from places that were hard to pronounce.

[Dehra]

I love it. And now you are an amazing college professor - that routinely helps me see the world as a bigger place!

Have you seen the documentary War Dance? It is kind of bridges the UN Ballerina interests. It follows a group of schoolchildren from a refugee camp in northern Uganda to the national music competition. It isn't always easy to watch, but it is beautiful and it certainly shows the power of dance to change the world and lives of children.

Here is a link to the trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saj4gJ4Lvw

And this is a link to a profile on the filmmakers on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87FCgufT8OU

Wonder what you'll do with these two dreams!!

[Tom Young]

I only remember one dream from my childhood, but my memory is not so good. After reading about the work that Dr Albert Schweitzer was doing in Africa, I knew that this had to be for me. While I always used this dream to guide my life work, it became real when I went on a medical trip to Guatemala some 18 years ago. In 2002 I took the next step by beginning work in Guatemala, which I almost got Dehra to go, but alas it was not her dream. We now operate a medical clinic in a shantytown in Ecuador, not Africa but not bad.

Only last month doors began to open for a similar project in Ghana. I believe that when things align you have to take advantage of it. So maybe in a year or two I will be in Africa setting up a health center?? I won't stay long like Dr Schweitzer, I have three great grandchildren that I would miss too much. Visit www.shouldertoshoulderky.org to see our work, and who knows we may have a link for Africa there soon. Dream on.

[Dehra]

I loved the site. You certainly live your core values! Maybe it’s not too late for me to go some time - especially Ghana. I was so blessed to have you as a mentor in my Pediatric Clinic. I love the back story on Schweitzer. What a wonderful dream. I will start an archive on International Service. I wonder if they need a ballerina like my friend, Kate?

[Dehra]

Kate - Just went on the UN Website and found out about the United Nations Women's Guild. Here is the link: http://www.un.org/other/unwg/index.html

You can become a member and take part in many different initiatives that are listed by country on the site. Turns out they have sponsored cultural dances too!

[Aisha]

I loved science as a child and had a dream of being a mad scientist. I had crazy experiements in my room...growing mold on various foods in plastic bags nailed to my wall, freezing and trying (unsuccessfully) to revive ants and rollie pollies. Some where along the way, I got intimidated by science. I wish I could audit a med school class.

[Dehra]

I can just imagine mold in bags on the wall. That is fantastic. Quite the scientist. I am sure that Penicillin was in there somewhere. You know you might be interested in Washington University's Mini Medical School Program. I have participated in them where I trained and they are a fun way to get lectures by experts in the field and they even have hands on labs for participation. Classes are in the evening and are for all ages. Here is the link:
https://minimed.wustl.edu/introduction.html

Something like this should definitely be fulfilled.

For Dreamers in other locations- most major medical schools offer courses like this and can be found with a google search for something like lifelong learning or mini-medical school!