“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”

Dedication

My life would not be the same without the people who laid the groundwork for it. I dedicate this book to them. First and foremost, I would like to give all honour, glory and praise to Almighty God for His enduring love, protection, provision, guidance and mercy. I have come to realize that trying to live without having a relationship with my Heavenly Father is like trying to breathe without oxygen. For when Our Heavenly Father takes our breath away we all die and return to the dust from which we were made. All honour and fame from our earthly achievements amounts to nothing, in accordance with the Scripture which reads: “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul.” The foundation of my life has been based on the Scripture – (Matthew 6:33) “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto you.”   These are the ideals that I followed and continue to follow as I move forward.  Additionally, I would like to dedicate these pages to my parents, George McClarent Maxwell and Myrthleen Helena Amsterdam-Jones, whose principles molded my personality even before I understood what it meant to have a purpose. My ability to maintain my composure in the face of a reality that requires resiliency was taught to me by their self-control, faith, and quiet sacrifices.

My sisters, especially Jessie, provided me with the support, protection, and belief I needed to navigate through times of transition and uncertainty. I dedicate this work to them. Their existence in my life has provided me with both protection and fortitude.

This book, which I present to my children, who have grown up with my education, my service, and my responsibilities, shows that perseverance is vital. Every single late night, every single examination  written by hand, and every single uniform worn with pride served as an act of love for them.

In addition, I would like to dedicate this book to each and every patient who placed their trust in me, each and every soldier who stood by my side, and each and every woman who thought that she could provide her best service while still maintaining her humanity. I owe my life’s journey to each and every one of you.

A great number of people and organizations have been instrumental in shaping my journey, and I am really grateful to them. It is impossible to build a life of service by oneself, and mine has been guided by hands that have lifted me all the way through each stage.

I am grateful to my family for their unflinching support during the years that I spent pursuing my school, serving in the military, doing professional duties, and becoming a mother. It was because of their confidence in my capabilities that I was able to explore challenging pathways without losing my sense of belonging.

“Give me a child until he is seven and I will show you the man.”

Phase 1: Foundations of Character

When I think back on my childhood, I realize that my personality was not formed by a single defining incident but rather by a succession of quiet lessons that I received at home and were repeated in the classroom. This is plainly evident to me when I reflect on my early years. These are the ideals that I was raised with which emphasized the importance of responsibility, respect, and perseverance. My upbringing was controlled, disciplined, and guided by these values. The manner in which I learned, the manner in which I acted, and the manner in which I would eventually serve others were all impactful.

It was my father who delivered me at birth, at home, as my grandma, the community midwife, did not arrive until after my birth. I have always had the impression that the beginning was symbolic. Instead of introducing me to life via ceremony, it introduced me to life through duty. From a young age, adults surrounded me, responding to problems with composure and determination. My time spent in this setting instilled in me the ability to maintain composure and to accept responsibilities without reservation.

During my childhood, I moved about quite a bit, which meant that my educational experiences were very unpredictable. During the formative years of my life, I went to several different schools, and each change forced me to make adjustments. As time went on, new classes, new teachers, and new demands became repetitive experiences that were already familiar. Rather than fighting against these shifts, I became adept at quickly adjusting to them. I turned into someone who was alert, responsive, and perceptive. These early changes taught me how to enter unknown places with a sense of humility and preparation.

I was a student who was attentive and well-behaved while I was in the classroom. I had a healthy respect for authority and a strong appreciation for structure. Upon receiving instructions, I diligently followed them and approached my responsibilities with seriousness.

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

Phase 2 : Becoming Aware of Purpose

The lessons of self-control and flexibility that I had learned during my childhood were already in place, but this stage demanded something more challenging. The act of self-examination was necessary. Not only did I start to comprehend how to function inside a structure during this period of time, but I also began to understand why structure was important.

The adolescent years were a time of developing a heightened awareness. The expectations that were placed upon me, as well as my behavior and the choices that I made, became increasingly apparent to me. When it came to responsibility, it was no longer limited to the guidance provided by family or teachers. It turned into an internal process. I gained the ability to self-regulate, to evaluate the outcomes of my actions, and to plan my actions in advance. This practice of self-discipline brought about a substantial change in the manner in which I interacted with the world around me.

These were years that were formative for me emotionally. I was able to acquire self-control and calm not because my feelings were lacking, but rather because expressing them required a sense of equilibrium. I was aware that acting on impulse almost never resulted in better understanding. Rather than that, I learned to take a moment to pause, reflect, and respond intelligently. My ability to control my emotions has become one of my most notable and long-lasting skills. It prepared me for situations in which I would later be required to make decisions while maintaining my composure.

My educational experiences during my teenage years continued to instill a sense of order and accountability in me. When I realized that school was not just about finishing something but also about becoming ready for something more abstract and went beyond superficial thinking. I took learning with a greater level of seriousness. I placed a higher importance on consistency and effort than I did on speed or comparison. I came to understand that with consistent practice, one might develop self-assurance. My teachers acknowledged my dependability, and I learned to appreciate the faith they placed in me.

“Excellence is never an accident. It is the result of intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.”

Phase 3 : Discipline in Practice and the Making of a Professional Identity

Brigadier David Granger, Commander of the Guyana Defence Force, was instrumental in nurturing me in my role as a new recruit. As the Chief of Staff, he was the highest-ranking officer of the Force.

My entry into the Guyana Defence Force required me to complete an Application Form, an Assessment Test and an Interview.

I subsequently attended the Basic Recruit Course, which was difficult and challenging; lectures at night and early morning physical training that I was not really prepared for. However, I endured through perseverance and grit. My efforts resulted in Best Student and Fittest Female Student.

At times it was gruelling physical training at midday post-lunch and a time when sunshine was at its hottest. I thought to myself, “What did I get myself into?” One day it dawned on me as I surveyed my squaddies during one of my many episodes of introspection, and I finally concluded, “If they can do it, then I can.” It was only then that I stopped looking at the task at hand but rather began to focus my energy and determination on completing the training irrespective of what challenges I might face. “What does not break you makes you stronger.”

There were some occasions when I outran the male soldiers on my military course. This created a challenge, with some of my counterparts vowing that “No matter what, if I have to run on my tongue, I would not make Maxwell beat me on any run.” But I did, and that squaddie became the joke of the platoon. Some of my squaddies just remembered him as making a woman outrun him on the physical fitness test. I was never an individual to boast or show off, but my other squaddies did just that for me, while I remained calm and humble.

These changes did not take place instantly. I was eventually transferred to the Medical Corps as a Medical Assistant.

Note of Thanks

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and humility to everyone who has been a part of my path, regardless of whether their presence was constant or brief, conspicuous or quiet. I am providing this message of thanks to you. One cannot build a life of service by oneself, and mine has been molded by the hands, hearts, and moments of guidance of a great number of people.

I would like to express my gratitude to my family for their unwavering support during so many years of education, training, and service. Because of their tolerance, support, and belief, I was able to persevere through challenging times and keep my attention on my goal without losing my sense of grounding.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my mentors, educators, and supervisors who not only upheld standards but also required excellence from me. The discipline, correction, and trust that they provided helped me develop my professional ethics and showed me the importance of being prepared and taking responsibility for my actions.

I would like to express my gratitude to my coworkers in the nursing profession and in the military sector for the collaborative effort, tenacity, and shared devotion that made even the most difficult days meaningful. As a result of being carried out simultaneously, service becomes more powerful.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to each and every patient, trainee, and person whose life has intersected with mine. Because of this, I was reminded of the significance of awareness, decency, dignity, respect, care and compassion. This trip has been a privilege, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities I have had to participate in service.

Thank You
– Dr. Joycelyn Maxwell-Price