Dr Ike Okorie

The Right to Arrive: An (almost) Impossible Hope, An Incredible Journey... Dr Ike Okorie

"I watched him in his practice working each morning before school. He'd taken care of animals since before I could remember him doing so. From bleeding legs to assisting a mother experience life for the FIFTH time, he helped heal the animal kingdom. I had watched mom teach students of all ages in a little one-room classroom, where they gained the necessary knowledge to propel them into their future, and while it was not the 'ideal life', it was not all that bad. We were rich according to African standards, but even rich people in Africa are pretty poor. I mean, who gets the opportunity to watch a natural safari in their backyard each day? But still, the longing for America only grew stronger the longer I remained... While I knew I enjoyed watching Dad practice the medical field, and that my dad had a vision, I also didn't think my vision was the same. I liked animals, don't get me wrong, but the idea of operating on bloody animals was not really the enticing life I longed for. My longing was for something greater, something more, and while I had an idea I still questioned exactly what that "more" was. I had heard about America, but thought travelling there was merely a dream. I had heard of ways it could happen, but would I ever embrace my dreams of becoming an African Doctor in a land so foreign, yet so close to my heart? I could only hope. My greatest solidification? Failure is NOT an option." Join me in a world where many speak about, but very few make it this far to tell... Join me in "My Right to Arrive."