Case Study: Why Her?

Why Her?
One of the most important things in life is our health. Most people are born healthy and don’t give a second thought about caring for their body during their daily lives. However, some people struggle with a daily reminder that having a healthy body is a privilege that many of us take for granted. Every time I visit my uncle’s house, I am reminded of how precious our health is when I see my cousin, Noor, and the struggles she lives with. I vividly remember the day I became aware that Noor was different from me, my sisters, and my other cousins. That was the day I started asking questions about her.
My relatives are very family-oriented. We spend a lot of time with each other whenever it’s possible an especially like to visit my aunt,
So I have to give her her food through the G-tube the doctor put in her belly button.”
Oh, that’s gross! I would not want that in my belly button. What would that feel like? Would it feel like a finger is always in your belly button? Does that mean she doesn’t get to enjoy pizza or ice cream? She has to be able to eat food other than milk. But how will it fit in the tube? Auntie probably figured out a way. Auntie squeezes it into a juice so it fits in the tube. Or not. Poor Noor.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, it doesn’t. But she does get happy when she’s full and not hungry anymore.” Auntie chuckled.
“Oh,” I exclaimed, still confused on why Noor is like this, “Is that why she can’t walk? And why can’t she talk or go outside and play with us?”
“Aww habibi, Noor was born with a very rare disorder called Ohtahara Syndrome.”
“Ohta what?” I asked, not understanding what my aunt had said. “It caused seizures from the time she was born which over the years destroyed her brain cells. The brain cells now cannot send messages to the muscles that let Noor walk, talk, eat or more.”
“Oh ok. But
There are so many kids in this world like me. We can experience life, see the world’s beauty, taste its foods and feel emotions. This world is unfair, yet Noor continues to show me that I need to be thankful and appreciate who I am and my good health. There are lots of other people in the world who wish they can be like other people but they were made to be different, to stand out, to be unique and we can see it as a blessing, or as a curse. Just by seeing Noor smile when she sees me makes me know that she is happy with who she is. She must be. After all, my family was told that she wouldn’t live past one year but we continue to be blessed with her presence almost sixteen years later. With all Noor’s medical issues, Noor is surrounded by love and immense