The inspiring story of a cancer survivor
- kahaniastruggle
- Oct 20, 2017
- 4 min read
“One in the few cases reported with Synovial sarcoma survive owing to its deadly nature, let alone wish to conquer the World,” said Tehmina.
Faced with the rarest genetic type of cancer in 2012, Tehmina Ahmad, not only proved to be a fighter and a survivor but an inspiration for many. Her smile and positive attitude is contagious. In the treatment process she went through from surgeries to chemotherapy to radiation and lost her whole right leg at the age of 18. Currently, she uses crutches to move around but that has not stopped her from shining in many aspects.
“I don’t know why people even call us disabled. We need to dispel the myth because we are differently able and what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. That has been my motto in life.”
“We need to raise social awareness about people who are different. Rather than feeling pity for them. We should facilitate them. Have laws in place and implement them,” she said assertively.
After completing her master’s in economics from Quaid-e-Azam University last year, she works at Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Funds as an intern. Currently, she is taking GRE classes in the evening because she wants to apply for Fulbright scholarship to pursue a disability degree from a foreign University so that she can make a difference.
“I want to open up an organization that includes people of my ‘kind’ in the decision making process that affects their lives. Presently, I work as a volunteer at STEP Exchange Program which is disability organization and host and organize their events. Everyone has a story so do I so I might as well use it to make a difference. After all that’s what the art of living is all about,” she said.
Hailing from the beautiful northern areas Tehmina Ahmad from the age of 3 till date has lived away from her parents to pursue education, living initially in a hostel with her Aunt and now in the capital city living life on her own terms as she creates room for alternative realities/narrative.
“I do not want people to feel pity for me for not having a leg but only want them to accept me as I am. Not limit me or question my ability. I am different from them but I am equally capable. I mean look at people like Muniba Mazari. She is such a source of inspiration. I wish to follow the same trajectory,” she said.
The society we live in has become very materialistic and due to the media, capitalism and cosmetic industries women suffer from extreme body image and self esteem issues.
“I confess I would plaster my face with make up because I wanted to fit into the set beauty standard but I stopped doing that altogether last year. It’s so empowering you cannot imagine it, to be able to feel comfortable in your own skin and accept your flaws because perfection is an illusion. I want every girl to feel the same way and love her marks and a few spots here and there because they do not dis her abilities. She is far more beautiful than she is made to believe,” she said.
I am a feminist and I hope every woman finds her voice, place and power of choice in the male dominated society,” she added.
She said she stopped wearing skirts a few months back and dresses the same way as everyone else. Despite the grunts, murmurs and the constant “tsk tsk” she hears from people she wears her ‘disability’ like a batch of honor.
“I cannot camouflage. Neither do I want to be a conformist. People have a narrow worldview and perception when it comes to dealing with people who are different from them. Fortunately, I have been equipped with education to question such a mindset and so I shall,” she said.
When asked what she is proud of she said her distinct culture and resilience.
“There was a time when even the idea of survival was farfetched. I have come a long way after beating the monster. The place I am from and the way I am make me who I am. They give me an identity which is different from others. I want to work for my region because I have such a strong sense of belongingness,” she said proudly.
All her life education has been the driving force and from the beginning she set out to become a position holder. “I was competitive and wanted to stand out and so I did. I remember this one time I stood third. It was devastating,” she said as she recalled and smiled.
Her move from her hometown Chitral to Islamabad has not been any less challenging owing to her unfamiliarity with the culture and language. If it had not been for those challenges she would not have become so strong she said. She shouldered the responsibility of her three younger siblings while her Aunt-who had adopted them-was at work from the age of 13.
From where she has come to where she goes living bravely, chasing dreams and fighting to be heard, Tehmina will leave traces of goodwill/positivity and will surely impact lives around her along her journey. Here is wishing her all the very best. Going forward, may the odds be in her favor.
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