Sabeeta Samuel Seamstress Lahore, Punjab

I was only one year when I contracted polio. After I fell ill, my parents took me to several doctors but I could not recover.

At school age, my parents and siblings had to carry me to the classroom in their arms. I could see children running, passing me at brisk speed. I had to wait long hours in the classroom waiting for a volunteer to carry my bag. I wanted to complete higher education to become a teacher, but because of my cumbersome mobility I could only complete matriculation.

Now at 35, I am married and I have a child. One time my child got his hand burnt because I could not get up in time. I face big difficulty in stitching and doing house chores, but I am intent on being an earning hand for my family.

Our parents made unforgiveable mistake when they refused to give us polio drops. They should have thought a hundred times before taking such a wrong decision.

I take part in awareness sessions for mothers to highlight the importance of child immunization, including polio. I also try to reach out to my relatives and neighbours to remind them in case they have missed out on polio vaccine.

Sabeeta Samuel Seamstress

Lahore, Punjab Province