” In 2005, I moved to Australia with my husband. Back in India, I was financially & personally independent, living life on my own terms. It was difficult for me to wear multiple hats and start from scratch. I had to work hard to ensure financial stability for a better life. Many sacrifices and adjustments were made in the first few years after arriving.

Finding a job was challenging despite my experience at IBM. After three months of searching, I landed my first job & was the only person of colour there. I loved it and got along wonderfully with my Australian colleagues.

Married life brought expectations of handling household chores, and I took on everything, thinking it was my responsibility. Balancing raising kids, maintaining the house, & my career was tough, and I silently struggled.

In August 2018, my life changed dramatically when I had a stroke that caused a brain haemorrhage. Seeing me in the hospital got my kids worried, and for a moment, they thought no one was there to look after them. 

The stroke affected my right side, but I was determined to move forward for my children. I had to relearn how to walk & talk, spending three years in rehab until 2020.

When COVID hit, my physio sessions stopped, but I kept pushing myself. I started biking despite falling because I wanted to rise stronger. My neurologist said I wouldn’t be able to work again, but I refused to accept that. I healed myself naturally, spending time walking in nature.

Though stroke recovery is challenging & impacts many aspects of life, I’ve learned to live and manage multiple responsibilities.

I’m now a board director, advocate for the disability community, & voice for human rights. I also work as a Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor at RMIT University. I do more now than before my stroke.

Life as a woman, immigrant, & stroke survivor has been full of challenges, but my strong values have helped me grow personally and professionally. My advice to stroke survivors is to exercise, embrace your flaws and disabilities, & accept yourself. 

I feel blessed to be in Australia, where my hard work is valued, & I’m supported even after my stroke. This country has given me the opportunity to thrive” Shazia Haider