The Story of Farida
My name is Farida, I’m 26 years old, and for many years, I felt as if life had ended before it even began. During my college years, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition that made even simple tasks exhausting and stretched my studies far beyond what I had imagined. My dreams of a normal career and life were shattered. The pain and uncertainty of the illness were compounded when my fiancé left me during this difficult season, leaving me feeling abandoned and alone. I remember the nights when despair overwhelmed me so completely that I attempted to end my life, not once, but twice, convinced there was nothing left worth living for.
When I first reached out to Arab Woman Today, I was in a state of deep depression. The medications I was taking caused mood swings, making me feel unstable, and at one point, I feared I had developed Bipolar Disorder. However, the AWT counselor carefully monitored my symptoms, listened to my story with patience, and helped me understand that what I was experiencing was the emotional turbulence of a young woman navigating disappointment, illness, and uncertainty, not a permanent mental disorder. Through this guidance, I slowly began to separate my struggles from my identity, realizing that I was not my disease and that my worth was not defined by my setbacks.
The sessions with AWT were not easy; I had to face some hard truths. There were aspects of my life I could not change: my MS, my family’s hesitance to let me move abroad, and the doors that had closed before me. Each rejection stung, but AWT helped me see the things I could influence: my mindset, my daily habits, and my sense of purpose. I learned to replace self-pity with proactive steps toward a meaningful life. One of the most significant moments came when I realized that my illness did not have to imprison my dreams. I could take control of what I could change, and in doing so, create a future filled with hope.
With encouragement from AWT, I began dreaming again. I decided to establish the first occupational therapy center in my area, a place that could provide meaningful work, not only for myself but for others in need of healing and support. AWT helped me think through every detail: developing a plan, preparing the legal registration, and ensuring the center would serve the community effectively. Step by step, I learned how to turn vision into reality, gaining confidence in both my abilities and my purpose.
By the end of my journey with AWT, I was no longer the woman who had once felt like giving up on life. I began affirming to myself: “I cannot change my illness, but I can choose my path. I can grow, serve, and build something lasting.” I discovered the courage to dream again, the strength to move forward despite setbacks, and the resilience to embrace a future I never thought possible. Today, my life has meaning, and I walk forward with a renewed sense of purpose, value, and hope.
I am profoundly grateful to the Lord, who protected me from a third suicide attempt, and to AWT, whose guidance lifted me out of despair. Through their support, I discovered that even in the midst of illness, heartbreak, and rejection, a life of purpose, impact, and hope is possible. My occupational therapy center now stands not just as a business, but as a symbol of resilience, faith, and the power of a determined heart.