Tayoba, Jhojie J.

BSTM 2A March 6, 2020

Reflection Paper
Something the Lord Made (2004)

It is a 2004 documentary movie about the biography of black cardiac pioneer

Vivien Thomas (1910-1985) and his rough experiences with the white surgeon Alfred
Blalock (1899-1964). In the year 1930s, it started when Thomas worked as a
carpenter and got laid off. Eventually, he found a job at the Vanderbilt Experimental
Surgery Laboratory as a janitor. However, he proved that he is not just a janitor. He
is naturally brilliant and knowledgeable of the human body and his commitment to
medicine. At first, he started to help Dr. Blalock by assisting him in the surgery, the
most critical and significant “the blue baby” condition. This surgery was, at that
time, impossible to do but they made it possible. The surgery done on the blue baby
was when the dogs died in order to test out their theories. In the end, the surgery
was successful and through this made a huge change in the field of medicine.

Vivien Thomas who found his way into medicine through the back door and
changed medical history. In his time, there is a tension and discrimination to the
black people where their means of work is not for professionalism. Seeing him on
the laboratory and wearing white lab gown is full of doubts and a feeling that he is
not worth it and enough for his practice. What frustrating for him is he is doing it for
the sake of his family but the society sees him as unacceptable. Entering the field of
medicine is a lot to take for Thomas. Thank God that Dr. Blalock didn’t mind his
color but see the commitment of Thomas in medicine and use it to put success in
their theory. Their relationship defied the rules of their time to launch both a medical
and a civil rights revolution.

I reflected that sometimes in life, you have to prove your worth. Some says
that you don’t have to prove yourself. But I find it wrong. Because in reality, the
world needs effort. Through your effort you can deserve some kind of appreciation
and not discrimination. Persistence, enthusiastic, patience and keep trying as well to
be honest and sincere, it will beat everything. We can pursue what we expected and
what we would want to get. And, finally people will appreciate and admit or
acknowledge it. This film taught us that with God, nothing is impossible. If you are
just kind and good in life, he will help you prevail what is moral and just. Also, don’t
mind those who belittle and laugh at our dreams and desires, but we should focus
and believe and look back as lesson and be sure we are able to pursue and get it.
Then, all people will be amazed, they are not able to close their mouth and shocked
when they see our result. And the most important is “education”. Although Vivien
didn't study in formal high education because the cost of school, this was not a
barrier for him to pursue his dream. Enthusiastic to learn self-taught and always
reading and get information that connect with dreams, focus and never give up,
sincere and loving what we are doing.