Meet Farheen Zahid | Trainer/Teacher/Assessor/IQA.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Farheen Zahid and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Farheen, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
There will be times in everybody’s life when they will ask themselves this question.

WHY ME?  is a query many ask during challenging times. Thoughts of giving up may surface, but yielding to such impulses only deepens feelings of guilt, regret, frustration, and possibly even depression. There is no easy answer to “Why me?” because life itself is a test. Embracing this perspective helps us navigate difficulties and strive to emerge stronger.

A crucial aspect that aided me in overcoming adversity was distancing myself from negativity. Shedding toxic influences, be they individuals or circumstances, is vital for mental and physical well-being. Prioritizing your mental health ensures that your focus remains on what truly benefits you.

You only have this one chance to live – mostly people are just surviving – not living their life to the full extent. Instead, you should be enjoying your life, which can only happen if you Count your blessings! Stay positive. Focus on your goal and Keep going as giving up is not an option.

Take my example – I was a very active person and a social butterfly. I was doing well in my career as a teacher and tutor. I was travelling the world with my Kj until severe health issues disrupted our plans.

After a few (very painful) months of inspection, i got diagnosed with a very rare cancer that had not been treated in all of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan (not sure about the other countries).
It was a very long painful journey – but I fought it – and survived it – of course, i couldn’t have done without the help and support of my family/friends throughout this journey.
Just when i thought i finally get my life back after surviving cancer, However, a subsequent unexpected side effect from a medical procedure left me paralyzed which has only happened to 7 other people in the WORLD.
This injection in my spine, left me paralyzed from my chest to my toes. I was now bedridden with no feeling in my body, no movement, unable to sit, change sides on the bed, lifeless, clueless – wasting away my life, just watching Netflix or crying.

I was told, it’s a reaction from the medicine, it shouldn’t take that long and i should be ok soon, I initially thought 2 weeks or within a month – 3 months? 6 months or max 1 year. I patiently waited, waited to start moving again, waited to start living again. Eventually, I was deep down in depression not wanting to live at all. With the help and support from family and  a few therapy sessions and hypnotherapy (highly recommending Adil Saeed) one day i decided – i’m done living like this and will not let my brain think this negatively. I’m going to get better and up on my feet again! Despite these hardships, I refuse to give up, recognizing that miracles can happen, as evidenced by the disappearance of my cancer.

It’s been 5 years to my disability this November 2023– but i haven’t given up. Still waiting but knowing that My miracle will come. I know it will. Meanwhile, i’m enjoying my disabled life coz why not – as they say – if life give you lemons, make a lemonade! We can’t get out of certain situations, especially the ones that are not in our hands, it’s just fate – so why stress over something you have NO control over?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have done my Masters In Special Education, who knew, a few years later, i’d be special case myself!

I was a SEN teacher, a remedial teacher and a counsellor for a few years until, I moved back to Saudi Arabia with my husband, and came across the language barrier and could not carry on as a SEN specialist. I then became a primary and Kindergarten teacher in an international school in Riyadh.

Almost after a year of being paralyzed, Sana Farooq came as an angel in my life and FORCED me to join her organisation. I was adamant I couldn’t do it, I had  0 self-confidence in myself. But she believed in me, So, I finally agreed to help the content team in building courses for Education and Training. My workplace, a UK-based training provider, has been a haven of positivity. Sana fostered an inclusive environment where my disability didn’t hinder my progress. Promotions, a supportive team, and a commitment to personal development have characterized my three-year tenure. I am now a Tutor, Assessor and an IQA (internal quality assurance) in the same company. Truly grateful to Sana!

The motivation to not give up on myself, learn new skills, and face challenges head-on has been the driving force. Work became an anchor, providing a sense of purpose and keeping my mind focused and productive. I believe whatever you set your mind to – you can do it! Our mind is a very complex organ and we’re all blessed with it and we can all discover miracles if only we believe.  Just believe It and have Faith in the Superpower! He’s the Most Merciful. If it wasn’t for my strong faith in my Allah, there’s no way I would’ve pulled myself out of my suffering and depression.

In short, my workplace marked the beginning of my acceptance and liberation journey. Opening up about my disability was initially daunting but resulted in overwhelming support, empowering me to face the world confidently. I finally left the house on the wheelchair for the first time not caring how the world would perceive me … enjoyed my first night out on the wheels like a diva with my family by my side!

I also worked with Webnet Pakistan, Waqas Badshah, who was kind enough to hire me and ask me to help in their Digital Marketing Department. I was the only one allowed to work remotely and they made sure to keep me involved as much as possible and everyone was very helpful and very kind. Hats off to my Manager, Abdul Rahman, who helped me throughout and answered every silly question of mine. It was a pleasure to be a part of this company and meeting such great people.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Given my current limitations, I find joy in shared moments with close friends and family. Though my outings are restricted, the people and connections matter more than the location. I enjoy ordering food from various places, especially chocolate desserts. However, within my 5-mile radius, whenever I do get a chance to go out, to restaurants, malls or weddings, those are always my favourites.

I try to make the best out of the situation. It’s never the PLACE – it’s always the PEOPLE who make it special. My favourite people to eat with are my nieces and bhabs (sister-in-law).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are A LOT of people who deserve my shoutout who i’m truly grateful for and without them I couldn’t have come this far. Problem is I can’t mention ALL of them as then this will be an never-ending interview.

My first shoutout goes to my mother – whom I owe my life to and everything in it. I’m still fully dependent on her for everything and without her, I can not survive. She takes care of ALL my needs from turning me, changing me, showering, cleaning, groceries, medicines, food even my social events are organised by her. All I have to do is say it and she makes sure it’s done! The only thing I can do is pray for her and I do that with every single breath and for my daddy too. God has blessed me with the best parents!

Next comes my husband who is my rock, my support, the reason for my true happiness and who I love with all my heart. If it wasn’t for him, I’m not sure how I would fight any battle. He’s played a really important role in my life and has stuck by my side even after these 5 long years. I’m also very grateful for my in-laws. My Mother-in-law is the best person alive and I love her just like my own mom. The same goes for my sister-in-law, who I love and cherish as my friend and sister. She goes over and beyond for me and makes sure I’m involved in her life and tells me her weekly stories, which I enjoy listening to. My father-in-law is also a sweetheart and I’ve spent 6 great years of my initial married life with him and poor him, had to eat everything I used to cook whether it was burnt or raw. I’m not sure how they survived with me, but I was blessed to have them as my family. Alhamdulilah!

I don’t even have words for the friends I have been blessed with. There are just too many to mention. From my childhood friends from School in Manarat, to my compound friends – our Sadhan family – who I love and are very dear to me, to my college/uni friends in Pakistan from TEC and KU, to my friends in Riyadh that i made after my wedding. All have been truly amazing (ok well not ALL – but MOST) hehe

Special mention goes to my friends and family who supported me during the most challenging phases of my illness. I wasn’t paralyzed then, but I had become so weak, so fragile, with HB being as low as 3, and my fever would be very high almost up to 105/40 degrees without any cause or reason known even after a million tests! My friends would help my mother put wet towels on me all day long and take me to the hospital, they would send soup and food to us and just so much more.  My friends wouldn’t even leave me during my chemo. We would have Chemo parties! Where I’d be getting the CHEMO and they would be partying with food and bribe the nurses with Baskin Robins so they don’t kick them out or tell the Doctor. These special friends are Shomaila, Noor, Sumaira, Beenish and Maryam! And their husbands and kids! This wouldn’t have been possible without you guys. I love you all.

Last but NOT the least are my cousins (too many to mention) who are constantly by my side and keep checking up on me regularly keeping me sane. happy and lively. Most dinner parties now happen at my house just so I can be a part of it. Our mom’s siblings and my dad’s siblings (my uncles and aunt) are all very special to me and all of their kids.

The special shoutout goes to Wasfa! She’s my sister, cousin, friend and doctor too. She’s always there for me, just a message away if I have any questions or concerns or even if I’m just bored, she visits and we chill. Also, tooba, who has spent several nights with me at the hospital and she’s the best psychologist ever. She does my therapy unintentionally, without knowing she’s helping me so much. My Brother’s family, who I live with, his wife and kids are my favourite people in the world, yeah even the little monster who comes for a second and causes an earthquake in my room lol but I love it and these kids to bits.

There are SO many people, who I want to mention and give a shoutout to – I’m blessed with the most amazing people, sweet, kind-hearted, lovely souls who love me and accept me the way I am. Every one of you is in my prayers! I’ve heard that when you’re sick all your prayers are answered – that’s literally all I do because I only want everyone’s health, happiness and success!

I’d love to mention everyone’s name (only about a 100 more) but even though I haven’t mentioned you guys here, doesn’t mean you’re not in my heart and my prayers.

Instagram: faru_z is on Instagram but it’s not a public profile and I don’t add a lot of people here, only the very few, the very close and the very special. If you wish to contact me, feel free to ‘message’ me on Instagram, and I’ll promise to reply.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ -= Farheen Zahid

Facebook: Faru Z – also not a public profile but I’m available on messenger.

Do message me or email me on farru.zahid@gmail.com, if you’ve read this – I would love to hear from everyone.

Thank you, stay blessed.

Just leaving with a note that a very kind person shared with me – a famous quote – By Mel Robbins

You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved.

I will move my mountain – and one day, show everyone that it CAN be done!

In Sha Allah.