Kellie Lim Explained

Kellie Lim, a triple amputee due to bacterial meningitis at age 8,^[1] graduated near the top of her class at UCLA medical school in 2007 after having been given only a 15% chance of survival.^[2] Lim was born in Michigan and raised by her blind mother, Sandy Lim, in Detroit.^[3] She cites her experience as an ill child as the reason she chose to become a pediatrician.^[1] She does not use a prosthetic arm, and performs most medical procedures with just one arm. She uses prosthetic legs to walk.^[4]

The story of Lim's graduation was covered by news outlets throughout the United States and she was also honored by ABC as Person of the Week in June 2007.^[5] Prior to attending UCLA, she attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she was an advocate for students with disabilities.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dream Defies Loss of Limbs. 2008-03-07. 2007-05-27. Larry Gordon. Los Angeles Times.
2. Web site: Student to Become Pediatrician With 1 Arm, 2 Fingers. 2008-03-07. WMAQ Chicago. 2007-05-29.
3. Web site: Meningitis Survivor Fulfills Dream. 2008-03-07. 2007-06-10. Jane Der. Daily Bruin. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080511121513/http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/archives/id/41455/. 2008-05-11.
4. News: Triple Amputee to Graduate from Medical School. 2008-03-07. CNN. 2007-05-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080308201534/http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/05/29/amputee.student/index.html . 2008-03-08.
5. Web site: Person of the Week: Kellie Lim. 2008-03-07. ABC World News. 2007-06-01. Charles Gibson.
6. Web site: Campaign for Campus Accessibility Raises Awareness . 2008-03-07 . 2002-02-08 . Meredith Buse . The Daily Northwestern . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080217090122/http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.com/media/storage/paper853/news/2002/02/08/Campus/Campaign.For.Campus.Accessibility.Raises.Awareness-1908840.shtml . 2008-02-17 .