Suffered and Survived

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. I believe life is precious. You can only live one life, unfortunately. Death, can sweep you away in an instant. Some people just let it happen, but others are just too stubborn to give up. On 22nd of June, 2012, I experienced a traumatic experience. I had a car accident. My brother was driving. My sisters and I, were in the backseat and my cousin was sitting with my brother in the passenger seat. My brother, and I were joking around and laughing when all of a sudden, the world went black. Car’s tire erupted and we got hit by a pole. The next thing I remember is that I was in hospital and every body was in tension, I saw my mother was crying. I was told that I am okay and no serious injuries were caused. I felt so much of pain as if somebody has crushed my bones. When I saw my arm I was surprised and I asked what have happened to my arm my father said its just a fracture. Nobody told that my arm was paralyzed and that tomorrow will be my surgery. The whole night I suffered intense pain. Next day I woke up they took me to operation theatre. I was kept under observation for 5 hours. My mother says that her heart stopped for a second when she saw me in that observation room. They shifted me back to my room. When I woke up my arm was heavy and it was so painful. My mother told me they plated your arm. I was shocked but then I thought I‘ll get better each and everyday when I recovered I tried to move my hand but couldn’t at that day I came to know that its paralyzed. I didn’t believe it for a second that I have to live with this disability. How will I face people? What people will think. Day by day I was going in depression than one day after my checkup doctor said do you believe in miracles? I thought what a silly question that is but still I replied by saying yes I do.H e said have faith. We aren’t God. Things will be fine. You’ll get better. I wasn’t even listening to him to be honest. I thought that I have to live with this. Right now I am using both of my hands and doctors words are still in my head do you believe in miracles? Today I think I got my answer yes miracles do happen. And he’s near to us his blessings on us are more than we think. Everything happens for a reason its just we don’t understand. I am living a normal life after 3 surgeries. I am not ashamed of my scars because whenever I am going through tough time I look at my scars and think for a second if I have survived this I can do this as well. I have learned one thing happiness is not ready made it comes from your actions. Be proud of what you are.

— Mahnoor, age 20