At the age of six months, my whole family discovered that I was born deaf. But everyone accepted it with a deep sorrow and for my parents, it was a bolt from the blue. Due to my challenges, my parents kept visiting Mardan week after week from Islamabad to get help. My dad knocked on every Doctor, Pir, Sufi, and Sage doors known for their healing powers as he was worried for my future. They were forced to acquire a hearing aid from the USA in help to reduce my problem and help me hear a bit. It wasn’t economical but my mother was determined for it. My father held two jobs. Side by side my mother worked too - to meet the financial ends of the household.
In spite of familial and societal pressures, my mother refused to admit me in a deaf school. She was determined for me to have a normal and formal education just like my older brother. And just like him, I too was admitted in Beacon House, one of the most prestigious private schools in Pakistan. At school, I felt embarrassed because everyone kept asking me if I was wearing a radio or walkman. I wondered why I was the one, among many destined to suffer such remarks. I used to come home crying from school. Not only I remember my mother consoling me, keeping my spirits up, but I also remember her tears and heartbreak later in the day, from the abuse and intolerance hurled towards me by my school fellows. My mom repeatedly asked my teachers at school to give some extra time and attention to me in class. She spent hours of her time after the 9-5 job in helping me to hear and learn how to talk. I still have vivid memories of the endless hours of speech therapy, lip reading exercises, breathing drills, and not to forget schoolwork. It wasn’t an easy journey for me. Even more so, for my family in general and my mother in particular who would eat and change only after she had helped me finish my homework. The time came for me in 5th class where all my teachers and Principal broke my parent’s heart by telling them that I could not get in to 6th grade due to the fact that I couldn't understand and perform properly. It was a dark and sad day indeed. Still, my parents didn’t give up on me, so they proceeded to get visas for United States, which even back in the 90s was quite a long process. I was not quite sure how the transition to US would turn out to be. As soon as I stepped on US soil, my parents tried to get me admitted in a school. The school provided many facilities such as speech therapist, American Sign Language interpreter, and a note taker. Such facilities made my life easy, and by the grace of Allah I advanced to 6th class. After school, I would come home and practice more of how to hear and speak like normal people.
This journey took almost 7 years. My parents and I never gave up because we strongly believed in hard work. Finally, Alhamdulillah, I have finished my education from New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn. It wasn’t long after I completed my degree and decided to move back to Pakistan. It wasn’t easy at all initially when I moved back to Pakistan and began my job hunt. I applied almost everywhere and talked to many people in order to get my right as a man capable enough to work as a member of the society. After all the initial rejections and hardships, Allah awarded my patience and so far, I started off as an Assistant Instructor for Computer Engineering in Government Organization, worked for Telenor Pakistan, and currently working as a Content Writer and SEO Executive. I am extremely grateful and humbled to be where I am today. Life is a tough teacher. But if you plough through, with the love and support of your families, then nothing is beyond one’s reach. My message for everyone out there living in the shadows “Your ability is much stronger than your disability. Do not be afraid of anything, keep trying and you will get there one day. Hard work always pays off in the end.”
