DR Arjumand Zaheer was born on March 23, 1944, in the town of Ferozabad near Agra. She suffered a polio attack at the age of 10 months. She had developed fever and there was no medical help available near her family’s home.

Arjumand was taken to the town of Itawa where a physician administered an injection. The following day, Arjumand’s mother noticed that the child’s right leg was hanging toneless and powerless. One has to bear in mind here that it was the 1945’s Ferozabad and polio still remained obscure.

Anxious and not wanting her daughter to live a handicapped life, the mother took Arjumand to a renowned physician in Shaukabad. When electrical treatments came to a naught, herbal treatments commenced, though without any physical benefits. With Partition, the family chose to move to Pakistan. With more pressing issues at hand, Arjumand’s treatment took a backseat.

Arjumand was the fourth child of twelve. Her parents primed the siblings to act as succour for their special sister. And this very family support bolstered her spirits and bestowed her with the confidence to carve a niche for herself in this world.

Arjumand was placed in the boarding of St Mary’s Convent School in Hyderabad, along with her two sisters. Her initial memories of being “different” from the rest thrive on the period spent in boarding. The bedrooms were situated on the first floor and classrooms on the ground. In the morning, when all the girls had gone downstairs, the nun would come to fetch Arjumand and assisted her down the stairway. By this time, Arjumand was using a crutch and braces.

Dr Sim Pox arrived from Germany in Karachi and the news landed in Hyderabad. Arjumand was in primary school then. Her mother scurried to Karachi — her heart infused with hope. The doctor operated upon Arjumand’s right leg and physiotherapy was scheduled. But the worst had happened. The leg was misaligned and Arjumand could no longer wear the braces. Shattered, they returned home. Time flew by and Arji completed her Matric in science with A grade. Her crutch, a faithful companion. She blossomed into an attractive teenager and usually received complements that were followed by “hai, beechari.” It tormented her. Social gatherings became an emotional burden. She raged and mourned and then detached herself.

Her books became her unabridged focus and saviour from people’s pity. She joined Nazareth College as a pre-medical student. It became a challenge for her. Standing throughout the two hours of chemistry practicals was tough, but not impossible for Arjumand. Inconveniences were dealt with. The predilection of playing active sports such as football surfaced. Arjumand yearned to be ‘healthy’. Her favourite recreational sports were the sack race and hurdle race. The annual sports day came with the realization that she would never be able to participate. “I missed it all,” she recalls today.

Years passed by and she completed her BSc. The nucleus of Arjumand’s life was her books. She learnt to take joy in whatever she could do. She refused to exist in a state of emotional limbo. When the entire class went on a botany excursion to Quetta and Pindi, Arjumand joined in, too.

A crucial survival tool is a reasoning mind, one that is able to view the ordeal not as an overwhelming set of threats but as a puzzle to be solved. Hence, in Arjumand’s view, achieving higher education was the road to independence.

Arjumand enrolled herself in the Sindh University as an MSc Chemistry student. This era brought with it a complex blend of difficulties and a sense of satisfaction. The lab hours lasted from 9am till 4pm. Once a demonstrator suggested that Arji should switch to arts, as science would not be a convenient field for her. “It wouldn’t be a problem sir if you will help me,” was her instantaneous reply. Hence, a stool was placed in the chemistry lab just for Arjumand. Finally, Arjumand joined Nazareth College as a Chemistry lecturer in 1969. In 1972, after resigning from Nazareth, Arjumand went to London for treatment.

It was at the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Hospital in Surrey that Arjumand underwent three surgeries from 1972 to 1974. The misalignment, foot drop and contracture of her right leg were corrected. For initial seven months she was bedridden. She plunged into severe depression. After seven months, Arjumand’s plaster was cut and she was granted permission to sit. A nurse ushered her in a wheelchair to the paeds ward. Here, Arjumand got to witness small babies and children with crippling deformities. The first day she sat there for an hour, staggered. The nurse then made it a daily routine. Everyday, she would take Arjumand to the paeds ward and leave her there for an hour. This was the best psychotherapy for Arji, as she forgot to feel pity for herself and found herself playing with and helping the tiny patients.

Her faith grew stronger with the realization that she still can give a helping hand to others. The moments of suspended silence trapped within her were replaced with a desire to help others. Two years of hospitalization and dose interaction with doctors rubbed in the overpowering urge to study medicine. The journey from “I am helpless” to “I can help” took place.

After recuperating, Arjumand went on a road trip of Europe. She visited Germany, France, Holland and Scotland. After returning home, in 1974, Arjumand enrolled in medical college. The year 1980 was one of graduation for Doctor Arjumand Zaheer after one year of house job and two years of running her own clinic. In 1984, she sat for the commission exam that she cleared in a single attempt. Today, she is a Grade 19 officer — RMO in the Bhittai Hospital in Hyderabad.