In 1940, the zebra became a symbol for rare diseases from a quote by Dr. Theodore Woodward:

 

 -When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras-

 

Thus, in medical school, doctors are often trained to only look for horses- or the more common disease- in their diagnoses.

 

But the truth is we all have these stripes, something that marks us differently from others, physically, mentally or emotionally. Sometimes the stripes are invisible. Sometimes they show through. 

 

Sometimes the stripes get in the way of living our daily lives, of fitting certain molds or expectations. Persevering through these impediments and embracing our challenges doesn’t make us warriors or fighters. It makes us human. And plotting a different path for yourself isn’t an excuse, because you don’t need an excuse for who you are.