Nataly's Dream...

11.06.2007

Here’s the story Nataly Hachem, a young Lebanese woman whose dreams have helped her build herself and become a WINNER despite her challenging physical condition. Painter, musician, poet and teacher, Nataly wrote this essay of her life and experience with the purpose to inspire and motivate other people facing disabilities or difficulties in their life. This essay was published in a British inspirational magazine last year and I have the honour to have it now posted here on my blog.

As a genuine demonstration of her frame of mind and fighting spirit, Nataly always ends her letters and emails with the following quote that she wrote herself: “A moment of anger, sadness or joy is short lived; it comes and goes, but when it is captured in a painting, it becomes immortalized and outlives all human race.”

You can check Nataly’s website and browse through the gallery of her paintings and the repertoire of her poems at the following link: www.natalyhachem.com.

The Impossible

By Nataly Hachem

The impossible means something that cannot be done. Something that should be forgotten or abandoned, be it a task, an idea, a certain difficulty or even a solution. Something that should be accepted the way it is for it is impossible to have it changed.

Every person, at one time in his life, is faced with what is called “the impossible” that kills his expectations and hope, forcing him to accept the inevitable solution called “surrender.” I first heard the word “impossible” when I was still a child. A word that shook my world and made me the person I am today.

I was born with cerebral palsy which is the result of brain damage or injury occurring before or during birth. The cause may never be known. It is maybe due to severe oxygen shortage or even premature birth. For some, with this condition, the primary outward evidence of it may be a limp or an uncoordinated way of walking; for others, the condition may be severely disabling like becoming paralyzed in both legs and arms and mentally retarded. Luckily, my condition was considered as a minor one for only my legs have been affected and I ended up having spastic muscles that cause lack of balance which obliges me to walk with a cane. No matter how much I exercise to keep my muscles flexible and try to maintain my balance, I remain physically disabled with the word “impossible” written on my forehead. Impossible to be normal. Impossible to walk without a cane. Impossible, impossible, impossible—this word echoing everywhere around me.

When I was still in school, I was subjected to wicked remarks from bad students who made me feel unwanted and undesired. I taught myself to be deaf, blind and mute so that I wouldn’t be affected by their cruelty. I listened to my heart.

During those times, my country Lebanon was at war. In fact, war started in year 1975. I was 5 years old at that time. I have experienced real terror of bombings that used to last weeks and months, and have known the fear of losing one’s life.

I remember those dark days when the alarm would sound in the school for all students to rush to the shelter. Being a slow walker who would be in the way of others, I was left behind as the last one to go down the stairs. Believe me if a turtle and I raced on those stairs, I am sure that it would be the one applauded as the winner! So, I remained behind, a terrified child listening to the bombs falling like raindrops, holding my breath and praying for my safety. It was in moments like these that my faith grew stronger and my will of survival became as hard as steel. Writing this essay, is proof that I’m still alive, vibrating with energy, though I don’t know how on earth I ended up having an education with one day in school and countless days in the shelter!

It took me a few years of deep thinking to realize that a person’s identity is not his physical condition but, his soul, his heart and his mind. I have discovered skills and abilities hidden in me that God, with all His generosity, has bestowed on me when He first created me. He gave me talents that all people dream of having: talent in art, music and writing poetry. Moreover, He gave me beauty, intelligence and most of all patience that kept the flame of ambition burning inside my heart.

I worked hard on polishing my skills in painting, refining my style in writing poetry and cultivating my musical education. Without any doubt, on my long journey, I stumbled many times and fell. Bruised and injured, I picked myself up, with more determination than ever and continued moving forward, one step at a time, towards achieving my goals and dreams. With every fall, I gained more experience and strength that invigorated my spirit, enriched my mind and made my heart feel incredibly alive.

One of my dreams come true was my art exhibition that was held in December 2005. I exhibited 61 of my paintings in the presence of many influential people and I became recognized as a professional painter among all Lebanese artists. This beautiful event was covered by local and Arabian TVs, newspapers and magazines. At the opening night, all I could say to myself while admiring my work was: I made it!

As Robert H. Schuller—author of numerous religious books—once said: “Build a dream and the dream will build you.”

Accepting and facing cerebral palsy made me a warrior who doesn’t understand the meaning of surrender; a brave fighter whose aim is not to win but, not to lose.*

With this determined, undefeatable spirit, and a smile on my lips, I stand courageously in front of all obstacles—especially in front of the word “impossible”—and carve my name on a star shining brightly in the sky.

*By wanting to win, you may have the chance of losing, whereas fighting with the aim not to lose may give you a chance to win. (Martial Artist’s philosophy)