Take On New Challenges!

A few years ago, I turned forty, and along with a childhood friend of mine, decided that having lived in the Midwest for over two decades, it was time to engage in the local sport. I would learn to ski.

It wasn’t that I had never attempted to ski, actually on arriving at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1980, I had enrolled in a skiing class – that lasted one day – it was just way too cold man, and in addition, the common theme I noted among skiers was that they were always breaking extremities. I was at the time an International student, and didn’t have insurance, fractured body parts were not an option, and skiing would have to wait till I had insurance and could actually afford broken bones.

Well over two decades later, shortly after our fortieth birthdays, my childhood friend and I enrolled for a Saturday morning ski lesson at the ski park. Following several falls and much laughter, we managed one uninterrupted trip down the bunny hill.

Ever since then I have made a yearly trip to the ski park usually for an hour to ‘hone’ my skiing skills. This year I decided it was time to graduate beyond the bunny hill, and actually use the chair lift which meant I would need to enroll in a class. I chose a 7:00p.m. class, hopefully it would be dark outside and I wouldn’t be recognized by anyone, especially my students and patients. First time around instructor beside me, I made it off the chair lift. Second time too cold to get off the chair lift and whoa ‘where is it going?’ Third time around made it off the chair lift and down the slope - crashed three times, twice into other skiers took them down with me, and once all by myself. That’s why ski clothing is so heavily padded! Learning to ski is definitely a challenge, but so is every opportunity for growth and development, and truth be told, I was having a good time.

On this particular day, I had accompanied a gentleman into the park who was an avid skier and had plans to spend the following week skiing in Vale. He used a wheelchair as he was a paraplegic, and skied on Wednesdays and Thursdays, because those were the days when people from Courage Center came to the ski park, and if he ‘got into trouble’, there was someone there to help him. He couldn’t wait to get on the slopes. He fully understood the immeasurable joy that comes from overcoming challenges.

As I reflect on challenges, I am reminded that March is Women’s history and Irish American Heritage month. I am reminded of the millions of women from world leaders to mom, who have impacted our lives because they took on challenges. I am reminded of Ann Bancroft the leader of the 1993 American Women’s Expedition to the South Pole a 67-day, 660 mile trek on skis and the first woman, along with Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen to ski across Antarctica ’s land mass. I am also reminded of the million Irish who arrived safely on American soil and resolved to face the challenges of life in a new world. As a result of this first act of courage, there are now 34.3 million US residents who claim Irish ancestry. Nine times more than the 4 million population of Ireland .

Whether it is skiing without legs, skiing with legs across Antarctica or braving life in a new country, taking on new challenges, requires tenacity, courage and commitment. The outcomes however are very rewarding.

The diversity commission has identified six areas of challenge which if addressed will help to ensure that Northwestern remains a leader in training natural health care providers for the 21 st century. Join us as we seek to meet each of these challenges.

Submitted by Tolu Oyelowo