Life, from my perspective, has been full of the dreams and challenges that drive people toward their greatest potential. I was born in Lebanon where I contracted polio at the age of three. At age five I began using the leg braces and that would prove to be necessary for the rest of my life.

Though I had a physical disability, my parents were resolute in believing that I was going to have the same opportunities as any other child my age, and so with their love and support I began adjusting to life after contracting polio.

At the age of seven I began attending boarding school. Being away from home five days a week and being treated like a normal kid forced me to learn to live with my disability and enhanced my independence. I learned how to study and do my homework on my own, how to perform my share of chores, and most of all, learned to independently accomplish the requirements of daily life.

Contracting polio would not be the only challenge that I would face in life. I have also lived through the Lebanese civil war which began in 1975. For two years I volunteered at a local hospital to help the victims of the war. Before the war ended my beautiful childhood home, which overlooked the Mediterranean Sea and took my father years to build, was turned into ruins by the bombings. Lost with it were all my sentimental childhood memories.

After surviving years of bombing, shelling, food scarcity and displacement of family and friends, I migrated to the United States in 1983. Adapting to my new country was challenging. I don't deny that I went through some culture shock. I had to adjust to a new life, learn a new language, make new friends, etc.

Two years after my arrival in the U.S, I began to study English. Two years later, I enrolled in a full-time Associate Degree program. Within a year and a half, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. My ambition and hard work helped me to get a job as an Administrative Assistant at my college. Five years later, I was recruited to work at the National Kidney Foundation as a desktop publishing coordinator.

Realizing new skills would help me progress in my job, I decided to seek further education. While working full-time at the National Kidney Foundation, I attended evening and night classes. I went on to complete my Bachelor's Degree, graduating cum laude and eventually received my Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Attending college, while working full time, was not easy. Leaving work and then driving (using a car equipped with a hand-control) to attend my evening classes or work with my classmates on various school projects was a daily challenge for me. However, the fifteen mile drive from work to school always seemed short when I thought of the wealth of information I gained from my classes and the successes I achieved in spite of all the obstacles. I have come to realize that education not only secures a better future, it also increases one's self-confidence and gives one the strength to face the difficulties of life.

My educational journey which began with my English classes won't end with my MBA degree as acquiring knowledge is an endless process. Education is always needed to maintain a healthy career in this competitive and developing business world. My next goal, therefore, is to continually increase and improve my skills and education so that I can apply this knowledge to my career, my daily life, and, more importantly enhance the life I live.

Throughout my colorful journey, I encountered countless obstacles, but I never gave up. Instead, I gathered all my strength, believing that with a positive attitude, determination, resilience, patience and the courage to overcome obstacles, nothing is impossible. I have been able to lead as normal a life as possible. I have purchased my own apartment and maintain a completely independent life. I am surrounded by caring and loving people everywhere I go, whether at work, school or home, which makes life more enjoyable.

My life has certainly been all that I had hoped for, and more fulfilling than I could have wished. My journey isn't over. The best is yet to come.

About the Author

Oumaya Abi Saab was born and raised in Lebanon and currently resides in Woodside, NY. She earned her Associates Degree from Plaza Business Institute, her Bachelor's Degree from Marymount Manhattan College and her Master's in Business Administration from St. John's University. While at St. John's University, Oumaya was selected to participate in the Executive-In-Residence program, which is designed to provide a forum for interaction between practicing executives and business students. She was also invited to join the Sigma Iota Epsilon Honorary Management society and was inducted as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. She currently works at the National Kidney Foundation in New York City as a Desktop Publishing Manager. Her hobbies are: traveling, cooking, knitting, entertaining friends and family, fundraising volunteering, reading, and swimming.