personal trials publishing

This book is the fulfilment of my promise to Allah, the One that heard, answered, and released that eight-year-old-girl from the hospital. It contains the most challenging encounters from my life with physical disabilities. It delves into the struggles that I faced both externally and internally, and how I coped. It delves into the reality of how we all face adversities and the beauty that can be found within these hardships.

It uncovers lessons that will allow us to appreciate life on a whole different level. This book contains the hidden gems and treasures unearthed from the trials in our lives. The attainment of these treasures may be painful, but it ultimately provides comfort and hope. It allows us to discover strengths that we never thought we had, and to eventually have a more enriched experience. It is a source of encouragement to remain hopeful. It is a reminder to never give up, just like the chosen examples before us.

This book is not a self-help book, nor a memoir, but instead contains personal insights based on what I learned throughout my experiences. Questions posed on social media platforms by the public for the past six years on my work as an international writer and speaker contributed to shaping the content of this book. I have been consulted on a range of topics such as dealing with loss, shame, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, addiction, isolation, discrimination, bullying, dealing with marriage, and recovering from trauma. These questions came not only from those going through such difficulties but also from those witnessing loved ones endure them. I attempt to share my experiences in a way to provide direction, comfort, and hope--the hope to grow and flourish from our adversities instead of letting them bury or drown us.

Sa’diyya Nesar received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in English Language & Literature from Hong Kong University. After that, she pursued her Islamic studies and worked as a writer for a variety of outlets, including the HuffPost. She is currently RESOLVE’s social justice 2020 fellow for ’DisABILITIES: less assumptions, more conversations, ’ in Hong Kong. She is an international and TEDx speaker that delivers talks on her life with physical disabilities and how to derive strength from adversities. She finds inspiration using examples of those in Islamic history and is currently developing the ＂Community Care in Islam＂ series in Hong Kong while also pursuing her passion for poetry.