I became paralyzed by polio at the age of three. My mother says I was never vaccinated, which is why I am living with this incurable disability.

My father used to take me to school and when he passed away my brothers took over until I was admitted to the college. It was a real struggle for me to pursue my studies when my two brothers moved to work outside the country. My mother took me to Lahore and stayed with me in a hostel until I received my Master’s in Fine Arts.

Now my mother has grown old, I feel sometimes helpless because I cannot help her with house chores nor can I look after her properly when she falls sick. As an Artist I want to fight polio through my paintings. I was awarded the Medal of Excellence, a state-organized honour of the Government of Pakistan.

Prolonged disabilities can take a financial toll because of medical bills or long-term care. In contrast, getting children vaccinated against diseases along with awareness for the public are good investment. Polio can be eradicated simply when everyone knows how it can be prevented.

Shazia Batool
Artist
Quetta, Balochistan Province