When medical school began, I carried a small piece of the bleached blazer sewn inside the cuff of my new jacket. It reminded me of everything I had overcome.
Years later, I found myself interviewing future applicants. One nervous candidate arrived wearing worn-out clothes and looked deeply embarrassed.
I recognized the quiet determination behind his uncertainty. Instead of judging his appearance, I invited him to tell me his story.
That moment reminded me that true character is never measured by clothing or first impressions. It is revealed by the strength people show while overcoming hardship.
