Beyond Milestones: Celebrating Muji's 21st – A Journey of Endless Blessings and Purpose


Young adulthood. It’s a time we imagine filled with exciting leaps and newfound independence. But for our family, navigating this chapter alongside my precious daughter, Muji, means embracing a path that’s beautifully unique, rich with its own profound discoveries. This June, as Muji turns 21, our hearts swell with gratitudeAlhamdulillah and wonder at the remarkable journey we share. Our story isn't just about the hurdles; it's a testament to the profound strength of our faith, the steadfast embrace of our family, and the quiet, enduring resilience that blooms in Muji's courage every single day.


Muji's World: A Canvas of Complexities, Painted with Love

To truly know Muji is to understand the intricate beauty of her world. "Complex disability" for her means living with varied aspects of Cerebral Palsy. My loving girl uses a wheelchair, her movements a gentle sway guided by us. While her voice doesn't form words, her mind is vibrant and ever-engaged. She communicates with us through a special device, and it's nothing short of magic to watch her patient tap, tap, tapping, choosing the words she yearns to share. Her hearing and vision present their own quiet challenges, and nourishing her means relying on tube feeding. We've weathered storms of severe reflux and bowel issues, moments that tested our resolve beyond measure, but alhamdulillah, those difficult days are more settled now. Then there's epilepsy; each seizure is a mother's silent prayer, a moment of profound worry, especially when we faced the terrifying reality of running out of her life-saving medication. Her recovery, a slow unfolding, reminds us of the delicate balance of her health.

In a world that often defines young adulthood by outward achievements, Muji's dreams take a different, equally valid shape. Her worth, her potential, her boundless spirit are never diminished by these challenges; they are, in fact, highlighted by them.


Our Faith: The Unseen Embrace That Holds Us

For us, our Islamic faith isn't merely a practice; it is the very breath of our existence, the steady hand that guides us through every twist and turn. It reminds us, with every beat of our hearts, that every soul is a cherished creation of Allah, deserving of boundless dignity and love. The Quran whispers this truth: "And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam..." (Quran 17:70). This sacred verse is carved into our minds, a constant reminder that Muji, like every human, is profoundly honoured and cherished by Allah.

Our daily prayers (Salah) are a lifeline, a heartfelt conversation with our Creator where we pour out our worries, our gratitude, and our deepest hopes. Making personal supplications (Dua) reminds me that in our quietest moments, we are profoundly heard, never truly alone. The teachings of patience (Sabr) in adversity and gratitude (Shukr) for every blessing have become our guiding stars. They shift my gaze to Muji’s incredible strength, to every tiny victory, allowing me to face challenges with a calmer spirit, knowing Allah’s wisdom surrounds us. We find deep solace and acceptance in Allah’s divine plan (Qadar), understanding that ‘No calamity befalls, but by the leave [permission] of Allah’ (Quran 64:11). And our beautiful Muslim community (Ummah)? They are an extension of Allah’s mercy, a loving embrace that offers not just practical help, but the invaluable comfort of simply knowing we are surrounded by understanding hearts. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught, “The believer to the believer is like a solid building, one part supporting another.” This interconnectedness is a constant source of profound strength.


Resilience: Held Together by the Strength of Our Love

Resilience isn't about avoiding the hard days; it's about finding the inner strength to rise, to adapt, to discover courage even when your heart feels heavy. Muji and our family live this resilience in countless small, everyday ways, moments that fill our lives with quiet joy.

Mornings can sometimes be a tender struggle for Muji. She really dislikes the routine—waking up, brushing teeth, showering—it can be upsetting for her. But then, the most beautiful transformation happens. She finds such deep comfort and peace in her morning spiritual practices: listening to the gentle morning prayers (azkar) and the melodious recitation of the Noble QuranWhen these spiritual verses fill our home, you can see her entire body relax, her eyes softening, as if she's conversing with Allah with a profound sense of calm and blessing. 

The simple joy she finds in hydrotherapy, feeling the warm water gently embrace her, brings such comfort and delight to her face. It’s a precious reminder that even amidst life's difficulties, there are pure, unburdened moments of pleasure. And her beloved nasheeds—those beautiful, vocal-only songs by artists like Seidd, Muad, and Ebraheem—they are her melodies of the soul. It's as if these moments  smooth away ruffled edges, through permissible and uplifting art.

Perhaps the most touching example of her spirit is how she uses her communication device. Despite being non-verbal, one of her favorite things to "say" is her cherished phrase: "Stay blessed." It's a spontaneous, heartfelt message she offers, a beautiful echo of our Islamic greeting of peace, and it never fails to touch our very souls.


Our Miracle at 21: Seeing Muji, Beyond Labels

If there’s one profound truth I’ve learned on this journey with Muji, it’s the absolute necessity of seeing beyond assumptions, beyond labels. Individuals with complex disabilities are, above all, unique and incredible individuals. They possess their own distinct personalities, their own radiant strengths, and their own precious dreams, just like anyone else.

When I look at my daughter, Muji, I don't just see Cerebral Palsy, or non-verbal communication, or complex needs. I see Muji. I see my daughter, who is, without a shadow of a doubt, a miracle in our lives. Despite all she faces, Muji has the most wonderfully expressive eyes, conveying a whole universe of emotions with a single glance, especially when she wants to tell you to 'Stay blessed!' Our faith teaches us to cherish every soul, regardless of their outer abilities. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) beautifully said, "Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds." In this profound light, Muji's inner strength and purity of heart truly shine like a miracle.

As Muji celebrates her 21st birthday this month, our family's story is a gentle reminder that:

  • Diversity truly enriches us all: Our world is so much more beautiful, so much more whole, because of the unique presence and invaluable contributions of individuals with disabilities.
  • Faith is an incredibly powerful strength: For us, it has been an irreplaceable lifeline, guiding us, supporting us, and giving deep meaning to every step.
  • Resilience is grown, not given: It's cultivated through boundless love, relentless support, and that fierce, enduring determination we find when we need it most.
  • True understanding begins with heartfelt listening: We must all strive to truly hear and learn from the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities, and from the families who walk alongside them, hand-in-hand.

By sharing our story, our family hopes to gently open hearts, to foster greater understanding, and to help create a world that is truly inclusive for every single soul. What part of Muji's journey resonates most deeply with you? Or perhaps you have a story of your own, where faith, family, or resilience shone brightest? Please share your thoughts in the comments below – let's continue to build a community of understanding and acceptance.

Our life with Muji is unique, yes, but at its very core, it is about those universal directions that join us all: love, faith, and that incredible, enduring human capacity for resilience. And from Muji, our miracle, to you, we wish you all to 'Stay blessed.'

Muji's mum/Nur 💕

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