From Sumera A., Plainfield, Illinois
July 2nd 1975 was the day when I opened my eyes in this world. Being born in a developing country, and to a family that was about to be broken were the first challenges I had in my life. Those challenges made me very sensitive and observant of my surroundings. I was born in Pakistan where mental, physical, and spiritual sufferings were a normal part of life. People were and still are deprived of even basic necessities of life. Sick people are the ones who suffer the most. They have few hospitals in the big cities to go to, and even in those hospitals many die in the corridors or lawns waiting for their turn. Many people do not have enough money to pay for costly medical care. I grew up with a passion for acquiring skills to help others in the healthcare field.
Because of family issues, in 1996 I moved to Canada with my mother and two brothers, we went through a lot to get to a place where we could live in peace again. Our life was still hard, but at least we were in a country where there was hope and that offered equal opportunity for everyone.
In Montreal we had to learn a new culture, new system, and a completely new language, French. I found that I have a high aptitude for learning new things. I went to Dawson College, Montreal lacking the guidance, then left the whole program and studied computer programming in Concordia University (Montreal) for a year. I had to work hard to sustain life and to fit in the new country.
I got married in 2000 and moved to Wisconsin where I lived away from my immediate family. With more challenges in life came the most valuable experiences. I learned to make decisions and take responsibility for them, a quality that is gained only by experience. I learned to seek help and give help whenever needed. I raised three kids who gave me the closest experience one can have of being a health care practitioner before actually becoming one.
I learned about the multiple symptoms of various diseases by experiencing them day and night. Many times I had to rush to the ER after midnight with one of my children. I had the opportunity to experience life in the ER from a patient and a caretaker’s perspective. These experiences taught me self-control, patience, and kindness. I appreciated every single nurse or doctor who treated me and my children. To me, the healthcare field is a divine profession and I want to be a part of it to selflessly help people end their sufferings.
Even though, my traditional education was disrupted again and again, I was still learning at every step of my life. I waited for the right time to get back to my studies. I gave priority to my family because I couldn’t imagine giving time to education while my little children were in need of their mother’s attention. I believe that life is all about sympathy and giving attention to those who are in need.
I continued my education, to follow my passion of helping others, after my youngest child started full time school. In 2014, I graduated from Benedictine University as a Health Science major. I earned the second highest distinction Summa Cum Laude and was named in the Dean’s List 6 times consecutively. I took a year in figuring out the path I wanted to take towards fulfilling my passion.
The side effects of the allopathic medicines, and the cost of health care in the United states prevented me from pursuing the traditional medicine. I have attended multiple educational institutions during my life. Everywhere I went, I learned something new. My challenges helped me learn problem-solving techniques in the real world. I also learned from all those experiences that one can choose to be on either the giving side of the world or the taking one. I chose to be on the giving side. I decided to take this path of natural healing because I believe I can make a difference by following my passion, the passion that guided me through all the hardships of my life and gave me courage to move forward in the most disappointing circumstances.
I am an active part of a local Community. Over the last 12 years, I served as the general secretary, finance secretary, assistant to the president, the assistant president of intensive learning program for children, vice president, and currently the education secretary in the Ahmadiyya Movement Women’s Division . My community service taught me administration, organization, and multitasking. I have a strong desire to transfer all these experiences and valuable lessons towards the natural healthcare field.
My goal is to dedicate my life to those who are living in underprivileged areas. I am planning to spend my time in developing countries and providing low cost medical care to those who need it the most. I also want to promote Homeopathy in the country/state of my residence. I want to give hope to people by introducing them to a non toxic, non invasive, natural method of healing. I am sure that I am not alone in this journey and I am sure with support of CCHM peers and staff I will achieve my goal sooner than expected
