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Dr. Saeed was born!
I chose Dr. Saeed as my candidate for interview not only because he is a doctor but also because of what he does. He is my grandmother's doctor and I have met him only twice before. So, I decided that I wanted to know more about him and how he has gotten to this point in his life. -
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Dr. Mohammed Saeed
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He lost his mother :(
He told me that his family wasnt very rich and the hospital was far from where they lived. Hence, his mother had to give birth at home and she died few hours after he was born due to blood loss, he guessed. -
His sister comes to take care of him
Dr. Saeed's father had five kids and he was the only brother of five older sisters. His oldest sister who had went to another city to live with his aunt returned to take care of him and the other sisters. -
His father died!
He started growing up under the shadow of his father and sisters. He told me that when he used to cry as a kid, his father used to feed Dr. Saeed soft bread soaked in tea. Dr. Saeed was only eleven when his father died of cancer as he used to smoke. -
He decides that he wants to be a doctor
After his father died, he couldnt handle it. He told me that since he could remember, his father was everything to him. He was his mom and dad in one role. The fact that he lost both his parents due to not having enough financial resources and access to health care; he decided that he wouldnt let someone go through the same thing. Hence, he starts his dream of becoming a doctor. -
Job as newspaper distributor
He used to go to a local school till eighth grade. But, high school was farther away and more expensive. He knew that his family couldnt afford it. So, he took up a job as a newspaper distributor. He used to wake up at five in the morning and distribute newspapers in his neighborhood. He used to save up his check so he could pay for school. -
Joins Medical School!
He worked really hard for his board exams of his final year of high school and scored really well. Due to this, he got a scholarship into Osmania Medical College. He told me that this was the best day of his life. He never thought he would come so far in life. But, the troubles that he had to face is what made him stronger to fight through anything that came his way and reach his dream. -
Dr. Saeed moves to America!
As soon as he got an opportunity to move to America, he said he took it. He felt like moving away from India will help him move away from the pain he felt. However, the farther he got, the worse the pain his felt became. It felt like he was moving away from his parents as he left his birthplace. He didnt want to move away from his family but he needed a change. -
Dr. Saeed gets married <3
He met a girl named Sumera through a friend. He confessed that it was love at first sight! He started a liking towards her the moment he saw her. However, her family had a problem because they were way richer than his family was. He said that he had to wait for almost a year before his persuations succeed and they agreed for marriage. -
Addison Medical Center Opens
After marriage, he met a friend here and they together opened Addison Medical Center. He said that his goal was to give people access to health care and this secluded area seemed like it needed his help. -
Dr. Saeed has his first child
Few years after marriage, Dr. Saeed and his wife had a little baby boy. It was the most joyous day of his life. He said he named his son Adil Mohammed after his father. He said that he felt like his father has reborn to him, as a son. -
His partner leaves and Dr. Saeed takes over
His friend has a family problem and decides to move to Texas. Hence, Dr. Saeed took over the clinic and started his work towards his goal of making health care accessible to everyone, rich or poor. -
Working towards the dream!
In the past ten years, he had assembled a team of individuals who had the same goal as him. He offered services to insuranced patients just as any other clinic but he also served non insuranced or not fully insuranced patients as well. Though not big, it was a huge thing for this community. -
Achieving Success!
Dr. Saeed was awarded the prestigous People's Choice Award, Compassionate Doctor Recognistion. When I asked him, how did he feel winning this success, he answered that he felt like his parents soul was finally at peace. He was grateful to have a life that gave him a chance to serve those in need. Losing people close to him due to not being able to afford healthcare, made him realize what it meant to be helpless. -
Life goes on!
I think it was a great experience to talk to Dr. Saeed and getting to know so much about him. When I asked him what kept him going, he said that everytime he helped someone in need; he felt that he was helping his parents to rest in peace somewhere. He said that no matter what happens in life, you should keep moving forward with your eyes on your dream and goal. And, with your hard work you will reach that goal one day. -
This interview and me
I think talking to Dr. Saeed has given me a new persspective in life. I want to learn to move ahead through my struggles rather than letting the problems hold me back. -
Reflection!
I usually complain that I dont have enough in life but after this interview, I feel like I should be much more grateful for what I have. Even after losing his parents and having a hard childhood, he still made it through and became a doctor. This gives me hope that no matter what happens, I will work hard and one day, I will achieve my dreams. I also hope to do something like Dr. Saeed and make a small change in a society that can leave a huge impact on people's heart.