Today, I met the most AMAZING woman!

By Angel Ogamba

So, I work for a subacute rehab facility. We do something called Connect in Care which is where we meet with new residents as they transition into the facility to ensure their needs are being met. Today, I met a young lady (we’ll call her Michelle) and I had the most inspirational and eye opening experience with her. She studies the Bible and helps other people find God. Once we started sharing our stories, we connected instantly. Talking with her every day felt like a mini break from work and a breath of fresh air. I realize now that God had put Michelle in my path for a reason.

I shared with her my experience in London and how I was a part of the Change Makers Project. This was honestly the first time I had opened up with anyone outside my cohort about my struggle to find that ‘thing’ I want to do. As I spoke with her in length and she asked me some very profound questions. They made me think about this whole project in a different way. For example, I always used to say that my passion was ‘healthcare’. This woman flat out told me NO! She said “healthcare is the industry that you are in and that’s great, but what makes you ‘Passionate’ about it”. I had to take a step back and think for a moment. No one had ever challenged me like this before.

I have struggled for so long to try to figure out what part of healthcare to focus on for this project. As I stood back and really thought about her questions. I realized that the answer was people. Helping others is the reason I joined this industry and what motivates me to go to work every day. I decided to focus on the idea of people helping people. Human capital is the greatest capital on earth. Not everyone has the physical/monetary resources to offer but we have ourselves and our time.
​
Michelle is no longer in the facility but I made sure to get her contact information! I have since opened up to more people about my ideas. I realize that other change makers have similar ideas. Now, we are working on ways to put them into a tangible ‘thing’. As I move forward in this project and try to pinpoint my idea, I have started asking myself different types of questions. When I think of the answer I ask myself again, why? Looking at a problem from different point of views can help give you more creative ways to solve it. I am more comfortable and open about sharing my ideas and including others in it.