Latex Secondary Topic Worry?

[RamRod41]

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[BurghMed]

I imagine this can't be too much of an issue, as everywhere I've seen (ERs, clinics, labs, etc.) has latex alternatives, but I don't have the experience to definitively say. Maybe someone else can better answer this than I. I have a latex sensitivity, but nothing too serious.

 

[Axes]

Put something in there about how you are grateful that all hospitals have latex alternatives or are latex free. That's a nice way to let any out of the loop people know

 

[RamRod41]

That's a great idea. Thanks. I'm really hoping I can keep this in my essays. Any additional input would be appreciated

 

[justadream]

Did anyone else read this title and think OP had typed his secondaries in LaTex?

 

[RamRod41]

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[wegotthis14]

You're not gonna use a line like, "I never want to feel as powerless as I did when I touched a balloon ever again," are you?

Way to be rude and dismissive about a condition that seems to have significantly impacted this person's life.

 

[RamRod41]

Any actual advice would be appreciated.

 

[Goro]

Even old school adcom members are sentient enough to be aware of nitrile.


My initial thought upon seeing something like this would be "Really? That's the best you can come up with? What's next, bunions?"

A food allergy or severe asthma, I can understand, but a latex allergy..well, I strongly advise against it. EDIT: and I write this with a sister who has severe animal dander allergies who had multiple ER visits when younger, and losing one of my best friends to complications from long-term steroid use for treatment of severe-debilitating asthma. I still miss that fat man.
Although essentially all hospitals/clinics are entirely latex free at this point, I would like to write about it extensively for adversity/diversity essays and have this concern floating in the back of my mind.

It is, so chill.
If this is an overly neurotic concern, please let me know. Any adcom input would be enormously appreciated.

 

[Axes]

While I'd definitely respect that Goro's is the only ADCOM opinion here, I think that, if you write it well, a latex allergy essay could be effective. Just the examples you have here in this thread were great-- tugged on the heart strings, made me think about latex allergy in a whole new way, and were yet relatable. I really think you could weave this into how helping people in the subtlest ways can be incredibly impactful. I think the level of cliche will depend on the language you use, and from what I've seen in your examples you will likely be able to avoid those pitfalls. Plus if nothing else you'll be remembered-- how many people write about latex allergies?

 

[RamRod41]

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[RamRod41]

While I'd definitely respect that Goro's is the only ADCOM opinion here, I think that, if you write it well, a latex allergy essay could be effective. Just the examples you have here in this thread were great-- tugged on the heart strings, made me think about latex allergy in a whole new way, and were yet relatable. I really think you could weave this into how helping people in the subtlest ways can be incredibly impactful. I think the level of cliche will depend on the language you use, and from what I've seen in your examples you will likely be able to avoid those pitfalls. Plus if nothing else you'll be remembered-- how many people write about latex allergies?

Thanks. I can absolutely see how this may be viewed as absurd, as perhaps most people who know of latex allergies see them as minor. I appreciate the advice.

 

[AvacadosAtLaw]

Sorry that replier is giving you such a hard time for wanting to write about your allergy. One of my best friends still has a severe latex allergy (can't eat food prepared with latex gloves, can't be in the same room as a balloon). After living with her for a couple of years I have major respect for what she has to go through to avoid having a reaction. I think this would definitely by a good topic to write about, especially if it influenced your decision to become a doctor.

 

[RamRod41]

Sorry that replier is giving you such a hard time for wanting to write about your allergy. One of my best friends still has a severe latex allergy (can't eat food prepared with latex gloves, can't be in the same room as a balloon). After living with her for a couple of years I have major respect for what she has to go through to avoid having a reaction. I think this would definitely by a good topic to write about, especially if it influenced your decision to become a doctor.

Thanks. Your friend's experience basically describes my childhood in a nutshell. I really appreciate it.

 

[Axes]

Thanks. I can absolutely see how this may be viewed as absurd, as perhaps most people who know of latex allergies see them as minor. I appreciate the advice.

Even more than that actually, a good way to go with this could be showing how sympathy is important (for physicians and in general) because however "absurd" or "minor" something may seem to you, you never know how it has affected another's life--> case in point your examples. Just throwing it out there. Best of luck

 

[RamRod41]

That's a really great point, I'll definitely make sure I touch on that. Thanks

 

[BurghMed]

I'm not entirely sure why this wouldn't be looked at as a potentially fantastic topic to write about for diversity/adversity in your secondaries by an adcom. It seems like this definitely impacted your life/outlook. I know of individuals with severe allergies to even something that seems minor (such as peanuts), and how it greatly affects their everyday life in ways the average person couldn't imagine.

 

[Goro]

You'll need to explain it at this level (and see how Avocado's comments as well) for those of us who are unfamiliar with this type of allergy and its impact. If you can expand your prism of the world into ours, then it will indeed make for a good PS subject.

I totally understand where you are coming from, about it might not be viewed too seriously. In fact, I did have severe asthma as a child (carried around inhalers, nebulizers, etc). But the prevalence of latex at hospitals, doctors offices, restaurants, and the fact that a laundry list of foods cross-react with latex, engendered much more concern for my wellbeing. It isn't that latex simply caused me to develop a rash. Having went through anaphylactic shock as a young child seriously impacted me, and I feel that I might be able to write eloquently about these experiences. If it still looks silly in that light, I completely understand.

 

[RamRod41]

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[RamRod41]

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[wegotthis14]

Try not to mind him. Every other person is offering constructive advice, so try to focus on their responses.

I think Goro put it well, "You'll need to explain it at this level (and see how Avocado's comments as well) for those of us who are unfamiliar with this type of allergy and its impact. If you can expand your prism of the world into ours, then it will indeed make for a good PS subject." Also, he's an adcom who admitted this good be a good topic for a PS, if you develop it correctly.

When most people hear that you have a latex allergy, they don't think it's a big deal. However, if you explain how you were affected by it (ex: being unable to eat at restaurants, frequent doctors appointments) I think it would make for a great intro to your PS.

 

[AvacadosAtLaw]

You have it backwards. The people with the most experience with anaphylaxis are expressing skepticism. It's the pre-meds who think this is a great topic.

Seriously why are you even replying if you don't have anything constructive to offer? The only people that have expressed skepticism are you and Goro, and Goro has even said it could be a good PS topic, so whatever point you are trying to make isn't even valid.

 

[RamRod41]

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[KinesiologyNerd]

I can see that. What I can't see is a single reason you've given as to why I or anyone else should value your opinion. All you've done is crack a joke with the hopes of garnering a like or two instead of providing any sort of constructive advice to me or anyone reading the thread.

He's actually making a good point. The chances are better than not that it will come off as a total first world problem. I'm not saying don't go for it. Just be careful, have (*unbiased*) people read it, and don't be afraid to scrap it.

 

[BurghMed]

I like the advice from kinesiology and Goro, but as long as you literally don't say "I overcame immense challenges" and instead say how you've been able through your allergy to empathize with those with far more serious issues, I think you'll be great.

 

[RamRod41]

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[Mad Jack]

Anaphylactic reactions are horrifying experiences, and they really do kind if mess you up. Like, I had my first one in my late 20s, and bees and wasps went from harmless little things to terrifying harbingers of my death, which is a problem when they're damn near everywhere outside. I can see how a good PS could come if it, but as with any such topic, you have to walk the tightrope of not seeming pitiful, not being cliche, making it seem like you're a dynamic person and not just defined by your disease, etc. 98% of personal statements are unremarkable, 1% are wonderful, and 1% are terrible. You're basically going all-in on it being wonderful or terrible with such a topic, so be careful.

 

[RamRod41]

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[italiancowgirl]

The key concepts that helped my PS go from the more cliche side to the very real sort of PS were all focused on how to take my experience and gain insight for other people. My medical experiences were significant in my life both for my health and also for my interests and career focus. The way that becomes significant to the medical schools is to talk not about what happened in detail, but rather to show clearly how the experience helped lead to better connections with medical information, with patients, and better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses. The first time I applied my PS was incredibly focused on what I had experienced. After that I spent a fair bit of time learning how to clearly express it better as the jumping off point that changed my perspective to help me be a better person and physician.

Saying my experience shaped who I am in medicine is cliche. So it was crucial for me to not tell them but rather to help them see the ripple effect illness had on my life and how that had helped me grow stronger and wiser. If you use your own experience this way it can be very powerful in my opinion, but as everyone else says it is shifty ground. Walk the line well my friend and good luck!

 

[RamRod41]

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[italiancowgirl]

It is hard because the adcoms I am sure hear all day, "my experience shaped me and my desire to follow medicine" but realistically that is life. If it isn't shaping you then you aren't paying attention. So you have to show how a small thing in your life can have weight in the lives of others. I was also worried about my condition being a barrier to my acceptance, it clearly wasn't, and I think that is mostly because I showed how I had challenged myself in many ways to prove that it was no longer a challenge. Use everything in your life since then to show why it is significant and how it doesn't hold you back. After all, it was only the start of this path. The spark that turned your head. Who you are, and how you have dealt with the challenges in front of you are what shape you. Not one experience of fear, but rather how you move past it and use it to help make you more you!

 

[RamRod41]

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