I was one year old when both my legs were paralyzed by polio. I had fever one night, after which I could not stand on my legs.

I went through trying times in my childhood. I was fully dependent on my parents. My relatives treated me with sympathy but deep inside I felt I was given special treatment because of my disability.

My family has given me tremendous love and care. Had it not been for polio, I might have gained far better opportunities in life; I could have served my family in a much better way and contributed to the prosperity of my community more actively

My spirits, however, were not dampened by the disability. I studied and worked hard to carve out my career as a social mobilizer. Today I am proud that my endeavor has culminated with success when I could convince many families to vaccinate their children against polio.

It saddens me to see children in my country continue to be debilitated by a disease that has been consigned to history around the world. I dream of a Pakistan where all children can go to school to learn and play with healthy bodies and dignity.

Muhammad Ashfaq Navid
Social Mobilizer
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province