People say it right, “the life story of every one of us is never the same although we somewhat suffer similar consequences.” Likewise is the life story of a girl. One who not only survived the deadly blood disease of Thalassemia but also overcame all false set barriers of society.
Things were tough for her too, maybe tougher than us, but she didn’t accept the defeat. She once started from nowhere with no will to live a better life. At this point, she’s experiencing the best moments of her life as per her own words. So, whether life is fair or not, you must live through it the way you want!
HER EARLY LIFE STORY
ROZEENA NASIR, a girl born on January 9th, 1998. A little girl after all 6 years of healthy living started to turn pale yellow with increased abdomen size. Her parents worried about her further running to the nearest government hospital. She was in brief very low on Hemoglobin levels. As a result, the father was the first person to donate her O-positive blood. After an immediate blood transfusion, further test results gave the diagnosis of Thalassemia.
Rozeena was a case of thalassemia intermedia at the start but she took no medicine due to a lack of knowledge and proper guidance. She suffered Dengue, Hepatitis C, spleen enlargement, and multiple health issues simultaneously. Also, Hydroxyurea didn’t suit her which prolonged blood exchange time. Her body could not respond to medicines that support intermedia patients afterward. All these factors in other words lead to the severity of intermedia to thalassemia major case. That was indeed the worst part of her life story!
ROZEENA AND HER FAMILY RELATIONS
In Rozeena’s life story, no one among close relatives is aware of what thalassemia is in fact. In her own family, only she is the major patient, to begin with. The rest of her 8 brothers and sisters are either normal or minor, even though her parents were not cousins.
Rozeena’s words, “People around us think that Thalassemia is a germ which will spread. There was a time when I visited family gatherings; my relatives would separate plates and glasses for me. Also, once a relative of mine asked my mother why not they poison me to death as there’s no cure for this disease.”
On asked about family, she said, “My father calls me his SON and prefers my advice for his decisions. Our family does not support girls for jobs. I’m the only girl in my family who is doing a job with thalassemia. It is a proud moment for my family to see me grow higher. I like the fact now that “Life grooms on the floor of struggles one must do!”
ROZEENA’S STUDY LIFE AND CHILDHOOD DREAM
Studying was never that fun in this little girl’s life story. Everything was just fine for her, no playing or enjoying, remaining silent and separate was her life story. All that came to her mind was the fact she heard from people. The false fact is that thalassemia patients cannot live more than 18 years of age. She completed her studies till intermediate only with the thought in mind that she’ll die soon. As a result, she spent an inactive and mentally disturbed childhood.
As for her dreams, becoming a doctor was her wish just like any normal kid. But as a thalassemia patient, you have to take blood, drip, and medicines as food. And keep in mind that you can just die at any moment. All her dreams shattered into pieces and faded away in the suffocating air of society. It’s hard to stand in a place where people judge your actions based on possibilities they have set themselves.
LIFE STORY WITH KITCC
Although Rozeena’s treatment started in the government hospital in Karachi, the facilities and environment there were not satisfying. She didn’t like going to the hospital for blood exchange. Then they heard about Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Care Centre Trust in Karachi. She came, visited, and loved the staff and Centre. She says, “I was matric pass back then in 2016 when I came to KITCC. Looking around here, I felt like I can also do something in life. By all means, I contacted authorities here for being part of the nursing staff as that was my interest. They moreover welcomed me warm-heartedly.”
That was the time when Rozeena joined KITCC and learned to nurse. She did nursing for 2 years as well as visited in Psycho-Social Well-being House at KITCC. A doctor in charge of that department offered her a role then she joined PSWH. Firstly, she was Assistant Director. Now, it is altogether 6 years of service along with her ongoing blood exchange and treatment at KITCC. She is still working as Senior Assistant Director of PSWH. Her words are that “Now I motivate other Thalassemia kids towards life!”
“YOU HAVE TO KEEP FIGHTING IF YOU WANT TO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
A DISEASE CAN NEVER STOP YOU ALL IN ALL!”
