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A Difficult Life Is Beautiful

A Difficult Life Is Beautiful

At iACT’s 2014 Hope Awards last week, Qusay, who was the main speaker at the event, left a lasting impression in the audience. A refugee from Iraq, Qusay spoke about the incident that blinded him at 17 and changed the course of his life.

At 6’2”, well-built and self-assured, he is not what you would expect from a disabled refugee who speaks English as a second language. His self-image may have been frozen form before he could no longer see himself in a mirror and thus still carries himself as a handsome and athletic young man. Qusay has just had the 53rd surgery on his face the end of April – he thought this would be his last one, but he has recently learned that he will have one more.

Qusay exemplifies the refugee clients we see at iACT for Refugees ESL classes, people who have had to be uprooted from their old lives after traumatic or tragic experiences. He however, is a symbol of the hope and optimism that can miraculously follow a tragedy.

Below you can read Qusay’s complete speech.

I am a refugee.

My name is Qusay, I am 25 and I am from Iraq.

In summer 2006, when I was 17, I was playing in a volley ball match with other boys.

Suddenly a car drove into the court.

It was so close, I could touch it.

I saw the face of the driver. He smiled.

Then, an explosion. I flew into the air.

I woke up to the sound of my father’s voice.

Doctors at the clinic, told him that I will not live. But I said “I am alive, don’t leave me.”

My father loaded me in a car to take me to the hospital. On our way we met American soldiers. They stopped us. When they saw my injuries, they took me to their base for treatment.

But I did not die. I refused to die.

I became blind.

My face needed a lot of work. But I was alive.

As soon as I could I went to Jordan for treatment. There I learned I could be a refugee in the US.

I knew in the US I can be independent – that I can learn how to take care of myself and how to have a useful future.

I will not be a burden on anyone.

I came here by myself last year. I am one of 7 children. It was hard to be alone. My apartment seemed very quiet. I was not used to that.

I didn’t know any English and didn’t know how to get around.

I started English classes with iACT and then I had a place to go every day. The teachers worked to help me learn through hearing and touching – which they said is harder.

I made friends. I found a community of people who believed in me. Life became better.

Now I am at Chris Cole school learning how to be more independent. I also go to ACC for more English classes. Soon I will be ready to study for a GED. I will have my last surgery on my face next week. It is surgery number 53.

My goal is to become a counselor. I want to work with victims of trauma and others going through difficult times.

I did not have any counseling when I was injured. People around me didn’t know how to help. But I think I know how to help others like me.

I would want everyone who has troubles to know that life is worth living. That even if it is difficult, life is still beautiful.

I am happy with my new life and excited about my future. Thank you iACT for believing in me and being my first community.