My name is Ayesha and I am 35 Years-old. I am from the city of Hyderabad, India. I was born into a humble family.

The journey has been far from easy. I have faced numerous obstacles, both financial and physical. 

At just 3 months old, I contracted polio, leaving my left leg paralyzed. Despite my disability, I was determined to pursue my education. My father worked long hours as a laborer to support our family and my dreams. Every day, I hobbled to school with the help of a makeshift crutch. My classmates often teased me, but I never let their words deter me.

 My life changed for the worse when I married a man originally from Mumbai, living in Canada. He was well-educated and seemed to be a perfect match. He turned out to be dishonest and abusive. The realization of his deception was very difficult for my family and me. My father, a heart patient, who had always been my biggest supporter and champion, was so impacted by my husband’s treatment of me, sadly he soon passed away. The trauma literally broke his heart.

Losing my father was like losing my lifeline. He had been my supporter, my advisor, and my rock. His death plunged me into a deep depression. The birth of my daughter was a glimmer of hope during this dark period of my life. Her arrival gave me the strength to recover and find a new purpose in life. She gave me the courage to move forward.

After my father’s passing, my family was left without any source of income. As the eldest child, the responsibility to care for my entire family fell to me. With no property or business to fall back on, we struggled to survive.

At the same time, my now ex-husband’s mental health worsened, and his behaviour became increasingly violent and erratic, to the point that I had to flee with my daughter for our safety.