When I was 18 years old, I left Iran after graduating from high school to come to America to continue my education, with the hope that someday I might become a physician. I suffer from multiple disabilities. The most troubling issue revolves around polio. At the age of five, I contracted polio as a result of a bad dose of the vaccine I received. As an adult with a sever twisted body, I have been forced to walk with a cane and stand only four feet tall. Over the course of my life, I've had to deal with additional medical issues as a result of my initial infection. <br><br>It would be easy for me to be bitter about my situation, but I have chosen a different path. I've written a short memoir which I have titled I Am Like You. My hope is that my book will both inspire and encourage others with disabilities to recognize that they need not be defined or limited by whatever physical limitations they may encounter in the world. Certainly, my life has been a challenge, but I've chosen to remain optimistic about the limitless possibilities available to anyone who isn't ready to throw in the towel.<br><br>I've tried to tell my story with a mixture of humor and pathos. Additionally, I think there is a unique perspective to my story. Coming from a Third World country allows me to compare and contrast the differences between the treatment of the disabled in a country like America compared to how someone with my kinds of issues may be dealt with in Iran (or any Third World country for that matter).
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Ali PhD Kian. I Am Like You!
Introduction:
In the Beginning:
Then I Was Born:
Polio:
School:
The Arts:
Not All Bad:
High School:
First Major Operation:
Spring, Hope, and Love:
Doctor Rezaian:
Coming to America:
And a Girl:
Moving on:
Unfinished Business:
The More Things Change:
Back to Where I Was:
Moving on:
Back to School:
Diabetic, another Obstacle:
MBA:
In the Eye of the Beholder:
Visiting Home after 15 Years:
Mom? Well, Sort of:
A Little Side-Trip:
Back to the USA:
Be Careful What You Wish For:
What to Do?
In Search of a Wife:
A Comedy or Trial and Errors:
Back to the US of A, Again:
Superman:
Finally:
Children:
Back to Iran:
Wrong Exit:
Change:
How I’m seen:
Torn Between Two Countries:
Will Things Change?
Differences:
Celebrate:
Sidetracked and Challenged:
Someone Is Working:
Letting Off Steam:
The Year 2008:
Daddy Is Gone:
Always Looking Up:
The 2010:
Acknowledgments and Goals:
About Ali
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I wrote this book to share the feelings and experiences I’ve had from living with polio. What makes my experience somewhat unique is that I never felt that I was a physically disabled person. I acquired the disease from the polio vaccine itself. While the circumstances that led to my condition were tragic, I refuse to allow myself to be defined by my disease. My hope is that by sharing some of my personal experiences I can affect others in a positive way.
I suspect there are those in the world who might look at me and feel I have reasons to shake my fist to the heavens and curse my fate. I choose not to do that. None of us needs to be defined by our physical or mental condition. Every human experience has its share of good and bad. I hope by sharing my experiences, others might find reason for hope in spite of whatever difficult circumstances they might be living with.
.....
I have never been a religious person, but I respect and admire people of all faiths. It takes a great deal of courage to believe in the indefinable or things that cannot be known in a finite way. Unfortunately, traveling a more secular path in a country founded on religious fervor can be dangerous. Whether one “believes” or not, it’s never easy to be told that your lack of belief condemns you. In a country like Iran, telling someone to “go to hell” or that they will “burn in hell” is much more than a mere expression of anger. It can be a frightening condemnation that can have real consequences- corporal punishment and imprisonment can be the norm for “non-believers.”
My mother organized a “sofreh”. Sofreh is a gathering of friends, neighbors, and family for a feast. The host of the sofreh prepares food or arranges catering. A lavish meal might be prepared or the event can be much more modest. My mother simply served hot tea, bread, cheese and dates. Before the “feast” begins, everyone takes a turn reading from the Koran. After the reading and eating, each guest asks the host what they would like from God. Of course, my mother’s request was that I walk again. Everyone prays for God to honor the host’s request.
