Old guy, finishing Med school, looking for village.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, seems it takes one to raise a doctor as well.

Hi, my name is Fraser and I’m a medical student finishing the last 18 months of my MD degree at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and I could really use your help.

I have exhausted all of my financial resources and financial support. If I am unable to pay tuition due next month my journey to becoming a doctor will be over.

I started this journey 5 years ago after my sister gave me several hours with a career coach for my birthday (thanks sis), and I have loved every minute of this journey; every class, every lecture, every dissection (who knew there were so many) and even every exam. All meant a step closer to a dream I have carried with me for a long time, perhaps too long, if in fact, there is a too long for dreams. You see, I got a late start on this doctor thing. I started medical school at the age of 47 because, well, it took me that long to find the courage and self-confidence to see myself in that white coat. I found it from others who saw me in that white coat, when I was having trouble seeing it. So yeah, I’m a little old to be a student, especially a medical student. It’s rather strange to look around a classroom and realize you are the only one with grey hair (yes, including the professor ...or supervising physician – why do they all look so young?!) But I take comfort in the fact that although my younger classmates have the benefits of youth, I need less sleep! So for an old(er) guy, my will is firm, my determination is steady and my spirit remains strong.

It’s my hope that’s faltering.

I have been so blessed by the love and support of family, friends...and our dog. I feel such an unbelievable depth of gratitude towards everyone who has helped me. I could not have done it without them. Most especially my wife, whose love, support and devotion...I have no words that are sufficient.

When we started this journey, we prepared a budget, a cash flow plan and a source and use of funds schedule. With the love and support of family, friends and financial institutions, we had sufficient funds to complete the entire degree plus 10% in reserve. We sold off all but a few boxes of possessions, and began our journey to Grenada and St. George’s University School of Medicine and through pre-med and medical school. Unfortunately, by the middle of the 1st year of the MD Degree program the US dollar appreciated an average of 20%. By the time I had finished the 2nd year of the MD degree the US dollar had appreciated more than 30% consuming not only the reserve funds but also the funds portioned for the last 2 remaining years of the MD degree. I don’t wish ill on the US economy, but I personally could have used a little less robustness. My wife took what work she could find in Grenada but the low wages meant her monthly earnings only covered half of the rent. Now that we are in England with 18 months to go and the finish line in sight, we have nothing left. My wife has only been able to find ad hoc work to help with some of our living expenses. Though she is applying for jobs daily, she will not be able to earn the tuition money needed for us to continue this journey.

Why keep moving forward? I struggle mightily at times to answer that. I feel at times that I have failed more times and disappointed more people in these last four years than in all of the rest of my life. If I am unable to continue, I suppose in time I will get over disappointing myself. Getting over disappointing others will take longer. But I am not ready to give up yet. The benefits at the end feel like it is worth putting everything I have into it. Most of these benefits are not monetary, nor status driven. It is a wonderful feeling when I am able to bring a smile or understanding and possibly some resolve to someone’s health worry. I feel for the patient, every patient I have met so far; from the IV drug user to the mum to the 45 year old father with terminal cancer to the prisoner to the elderly person losing her independence in her daily living activity. I would like to be there, in a comfortable and caring manner, to help them understand and make decisions about their health and quality of life. I would like to be there helping patients and families navigate the anxiety and worry, I would like to be there, in that white coat, holding the hand of the person that is dying alone.

That’s why I need your help. That’s why I need a village. Anything you can give, no matter how small is truly and deeply appreciated. And if you can’t offer financial support, your passing this along to anyone who might, is a gift.

I have only 4 weeks to pay my outstanding tuition of £11,720 and only enough money on hand to cover 3 weeks of living expenses. The university will not grant any further extensions.

You can message me personally. You can tweet this story. See what I am doing each day at twitter.com/fraserbarnes. Mostly of all, thank you for considering my request.

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Here is what my clinical supervisors say about me, as well as my budget/needs.