Asylum Evaluation
Divya Bhatia
As early as I can remember, I have loved how others’ stories provide a window into their humanity. When I was young, my grandfather found in me an attentive audience for his stories, offering snapshots of his childhood in Lahore’s bazaars and his experience as a refugee journeying across a freshly drawn political border during India’s 1947 partition. His stories elucidated his visions and perspectives and, later in his life, explained his tenacity as he worked relentlessly to recover from numerous strokes. As such, stories have always been a way for me to connect with others, look deeper into their life and be present for them.
Interviewing individuals seeking asylum due to fear of persecution in their home country provides another dimension to storytelling: a powerful opportunity for individuals to tell their truth in their own words. I had the privilege of meeting Ms. A, a young woman who fled Uganda due to her sexual orientation and political affiliation. She had endured an abusive childhood and torture in prison prior to a tumultuous escape, manifesting as a knotted web of physical pain and psychosocial stressors causing persistent headaches, back pain, depression and PTSD. We meticulously noted each detail and physical scar, learning about Ugandan politics and cultural practices to validate and support her claim to asylum. At the end of the session, I felt helpless at the thought of all that Ms. A had endured, all that she had experienced yet still had the courage to recount her story to me, a medical student assisting with her case. Ms. A thanked me, tearful and exhausted after recounting her trauma, and hugged me for listening, showing the therapeutic power of having one’s story be heard. Her reaction taught me that true advocacy is a process of restoring and affirming an individual’s sense of agency. True compassion is ensuring they feel valued and deeply cared for.
The stories of asylum seekers educate me about suffering and injustices I would not otherwise encounter, creating a sense of humility while defending human rights in my own community. These opportunities to learn from asylum seekers have expanded my definition of compassion, teaching me about trauma-informed care and strengthening my commitment to learn about others through their stories. They have taught me that positive change stems from listening to the stories of individuals.
Divya Bhatia is a fourth-year medical student who is excited to be joining the UMass Family Medicine Residency based at the Family Health Center of Worcester. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, woodworking, painting and spending time outdoors. This piece was selected as runner-up of the 2021 Gold Humanism Honor Society Narratives in Medicine Contest.
