Growing up, I moved between 13 different schools, and with undiagnosed ADHD, I was often misunderstood. Instead of helping me, my teachers would punish me, even predicting that I’d end up in jail.
After my parents divorce, we moved into refuge housing for victims of domestic violence —our only option at the time. The house was small, suffocating even, and I remember feeling trapped. Like I could not breathe. But my mum’s strength was my inspiration. She worked so hard, and eventually, she managed to send us to a private school, which had always been her dream for us.
After attending public schools for so long, the shift was tough. I was bullied, and some teachers didn’t hold back their judgment. One even announced to the class that I didn’t live in a “glass mansion.”
The bullying got worse. Eventually, I got expelled after too many fights. By year 10, I’d switched to a public school, only to be expelled again. I remember telling my teachers, “I’m not dumb, I just need help,” but it fell on deaf ears. That period was tough, but it also made me stronger. I sought counseling and worked on myself, and eventually, I found my calling.
I started working in disability support at 16, inspired by my cousin with Down syndrome. My early experiences with her shaped my passion for disability support. I didn’t want to just provide care—I wanted to empower people with disabilities to live independently.
When I started working, I noticed the programs were more about glorified babysitting than building life skills. I couldn’t accept that. I wanted to bridge that gap and create something better. So, while working a 9-5, I also worked evenings, building my own approach, focusing on participants’ independence. It was exhausting, but I loved every moment of it because I knew I was making a difference.
Today, as the founder of Ability Alliance Care, I’m proud to say I’ve created a space where people with disabilities can grow, achieve their goals, and live with dignity. After everything that’s happened in my life, I’m most grateful for the chance to give back and create real, lasting change.” Saleha Amin
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