Okay, so I am a nontraditional student. A 31-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis. In a previous life I was a graphic designer (only an associates) but I did very well in my career and excelled. Once I was diagnosed with RA I took an interest in all things medical. Researched night and day on medicine, treatments, nutrition, you name it. I decided last year that I wanted to get into medicine. I first thought maybe nursing, but I am really thinking I am more passionate for treating the patient, not just following orders. I take an active role in my health and in my condition, and I really think that I could be a great doctor because of the empathy and knowledge I would have. I want to study internal medicine and rheumatology.
Anyways, well, so I am at my local university trying to scrounge up a Bachelors. I guess my best bet is Bio (pre-med) right now my GPA is only about 3.26, but I have a couple years of pre-reqs to go. To be honest, shooting for As in these upper level classes is hard. I am a family man with a young son. I do have the benefit of being free to study often.
Okay, so I guess my question is this. When it comes down to applying. Will my condition be viewed as a disability, that maybe they would think I would no be physically capable of being a doctor? I am only 31 right now and I am not physcially perfect, but my brain works fine! I might not always be able to life a 200-pound man onto a table, but I could treat, diagnose……I don’t know. I am a little nervous. Advice?
.
