Undoubtedly, life is a combination of joys, and in concordance with trials and tribulations. In this situation, some individuals lose courage and some become strong in the face of such adversities. This article describes the struggles and achievements of Zareen Taj, also known as Shaheen Zaman.  She shares her story of how hardships and difficulties shaped her perspective on the notions of being independent in life despite being afflicted with physical deformities. the following is an account of her journey in her own words.

“As a child, I lost my hearing at the age of ten due to a road accident which made it difficult for me to study; I could not even hear the teacher’s voice and couldn’t understand what was being taught in the classes. Due to these difficulties, I was able to attain education only up to the intermediate level, in spite of putting in considerable time and effort. Reflecting upon life choices, I came to the conclusion that it was vital to acquire skills in order to enhance my capabilities. In 1995, I was able to gain knowledge through Pakistan Television (PTV) programs. During that period, there was a program on PTV called Boltehath, which provided communication assistance to individuals with hearing and speech impairments. The program provided instructions in various arts and crafts that heightened my interest and facilitated in my learning process.
In 2005, I got married and shortly thereafter experienced the loss of my younger sister. There was a hiatus in my skills acquisition from 2005 to 2012 due to my marriage, which unfortunately ended in 2013. I suffered from profound depression following the death of my sister, divorce etc.  In 2013, I started using Facebook as a means to alleviate my depression. During this period, I developed meaningful friendships and made acquaintances that inspired me to engage in artistic pursuits and crafting activities. I dabbled in the online courses focused on handicrafts and jewelry.
Alhamdulillah, I was able to set up an online business selling wedding jewelry and provision of services for the planning of wedding ceremonies. i started a facebook and instagram account that displays all the jewelry items made by me. I also run a YouTube channel that focuses on easy art and craft ideas.
In 2019, luckily I got an opportunity to show my merchandise on Sahir Lodhi’s show, where I got immense positive feedback in relation to my products. Since then, I have received invitations to participate in interviews for the morning shows of many media outlets.  I have actively participated in numerous workshops, fashion shows, and exhibitions, and received multiple awards from diverse organizations in the recognition of my professional achievements.  
Hearing loss posed a challenge to my online learning experience. I encountered difficulties as I was unable to hear responses clearly and had trouble comprehending certain visual content. While browsing Facebook, I discovered an association, Network of Organizations Working with Persons with Disabilities (NOWPDP), a leading disability initiative in Pakistan that offers courses for individuals with speech and hearing impairments. Intrigued, I decided to visit the institution in order to learn more about their initiatives. I enrolled myself in NOWPDP and was able to finish a course in the graphic designing. This experience was enlightening and beneficial for my learning experience. Subsequently, I proceeded without hesitation in the future endeavors and developed a sense of self-assurance in my capabilities and skills. 
I also co-founded a charity called Entrepreneurs Launching Pad with the purpose of providing a platform for individuals with disabilities and transgender community to receive education along with the acquisition of necessary skills for achieving self-sufficiency. Individuals with disabilities do not require the society to look upon them with sympathetic and pitiful gazes.  Motivation is all that such individuals need in order to play an instrumental role towards the progression of society. Women facing challenging circumstances should find strength within themselves and strive for self-sufficiency in their lives. Empower yourself and play your part in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.”

She is a courageous individual, who serves as an inspiration for individuals facing disabilities. She demonstrated resilience and courage by refusing to view her disability as a weakness, and instead confronted various challenges with determination and persistence. HH

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