An Inspiring Day

May 29, 2023

    After a long Sunday, I struggled to wake up on time for our morning lecture. We had to be there by 10am, and I woke up at 9:30. Somehow I was not the last one at Accent! A guest speaker came to talk to us about the Mediterranean Diet and the benefits behind it. Honestly, I was already well versed in most of what she was telling us because I am interested in a bunch of research behind it. There are studies that show how the Mediterranean Diet food interacts with the microbes improving the health of the entire body (in simple terms). She was a very sweet lady, and had very good things to say about this “way of living”. That was something else she mentioned; the Mediterranean diet is not a diet but a lifestyle. There is culture and history behind the eating practices. It was interesting to hear her perspective of eating even though that was not how I ate. She kept repeating the importance of olive oil. I think they might use it a little too much...boiling your potatoes in olive oil. That doesn't seem to healthy. The culture is different in European countries. It is much more accessible to pick up fresh produce from markets rather than produce produced in mass by large companies. In the United States, this is difficult. We really only have easy access to large supermarkets getting food from all over the world. This lecture made me realize the cultural differences in both countries that affect our way of life and eating. I wish I was able to pick up fresh produce everyday!

This was the start of our lecture! I learned things that I
am going to start practicing in my daily life. 

    The most impactful and favorite part of the trip so far was our visit to Neurovida. This facility is an outpatient treatment center for individuals with varying neurological disorders. We had the honor to listen to two men who both have been positively impacted by the practices at Neurovida. The first man was an experienced ENT physician who happened to have a bilateral stroke which caused spastic dysarthria. This very smart man was suddenly left with the struggle to speak, move, and live his daily life. It was really inspiring to hear how much progress he has made. He still studies and learns to become a more educated individual. He was so adorable when he asked for a TCU T-shirt. Because of my neuroscience major, I found his recover journey fascinating. I left Neurovida wanting to become a physician more than ever. 

The next man faced a traumatic bowling accident, and he was in a coma for 3 months. When he came out of the coma, he could not walk, and had his confidence and independence taken from him. Coming to Neurovida, he was initially reluctant. Overtime, he realized how much this could help his life, and his goal was to walk. After a month of rehab, he was able to stand. As he got more emotional telling his story, we could tell the hard times he went through. I could never imagine being an active person throughout my life, and then wake up one day not able to walk. I could also see how involved the faculty was with each patient. They truly loved what they did, and devoted their time to truly assisting each individual. I want to be that kind of healthcare worker when I grow up. They were patient, loving, and actually treated each person as a human, not a number. This visit to Neurovida was one of the most inspirational moments I have ever experienced. I learned a lot about the quality of care the Spanish residents get!

This has nothing to do with Neurovida, but I wanted to include
it because it was an art piece at the restaurant we went to after Neurovida!