Were you nervous about traveling to Syria with a disability?
I didn’t have many concerns; I’m the kind of woman who goes with the flow. I’d been to El Salvador before so I knew how to be careful. More people were concerned for me than I was! I was able to bring someone along, which helped greatly.
What was it like when you got there?
Transportation was a smooth transition. All of the participants traveled on a big bus, and we also took taxis on a few occasions. It was very helpful to have my Walkaide and white cane available. I use a Walkaide as an electrical stimulation unit for my hemiparaplegia. I also used my white cane when traveling to dinner or in the hotel.
We went touring the day after we got there. Syrians were very nice and helpful. My favorite memory was meeting some of the Syrian women and instantly connecting with them.
I wish I had composed a list of questions to ask the Syrian participants. I’m glad I didn’t know everything that was going to happen during those four days because it made the little surprises that much better. For example, I met the First Lady of Syria!
What inspired your group to create the Silver Scorpion, the first disabled Muslim superhero?
All of the participants shared the common notion that disability was empowering and not something to be ashamed of. Some of the smartest people had disabilities. Why not superheros?
In what way has your Syrian experience changed you?
It has changed my life in so many ways. Now I can educate people about the United States’ relations with Syria and I can help correct people’s misconceptions about Muslims in the Middle East. I became a dual major in Political Science and International Relations, and I want to learn Arabic and travel more extensively to the Middle East.
Sarah collaborated with a group of ten Americans and thirteen Syrians in an effort to create the first disabled Muslim super hero for Liquid Comics. This Youth Ability Summit took place in Syria and was funded and organized by the Open Hands Initiative and the Victor Pineda Foundation.
Sarah was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of ten, which caused hemi-paraplegia and loss of all left peripheral vision (called hemianopsia). It also caused right parietal neglect syndrome. She had already been diagnosed with dyslexia and have another learning disability, dysgraphia. Sarah enjoys travel, reading, music, studying, and advocacy. She has always wanted to change the world and help people.
