Growing up, very few teachers believed in my abilities and even fewer put in the effort to help me advance in my education. I even had my sixth grade teacher tell my mother to pull me out of school because there is no use of me having an education. I had difficulties in school for cultural reasons and language barriers. i grew up in America but went to middle school in Syria so the language and cultural difference made it hard but not impossible for me as a disabled girl to adapt.My parents encouraged me and i learned the language during the summer. but the educational system is not equipped to deal with people with disabilities. My teachers had no idea how to accomodate me.i was bullied for doing the same things my peers were doing 'learning'. at the university i went to there was absolutely no wheelchair accomodations. the elevators never worked and when i asked my dean to provide classes for me downstairs instead of on the second floor he said and i quote 'you are not the first disabled person in the world so deal with it yourself! i dont have time for you' and that is exactly what i did, i kept pushing for them to provide accomodation which LEGALLY i am entitled to. i was the first disabled person to get a masters degree in my univeristy in 2013 and that was during civil war.i had no electricity 80% of the day and barely any internet. i perservered through all the obstacles. I even had my friends pick my wheelchair up and take me to class because none of my classes were downstairs and by that time the war had made it impossible for us to have basic necessities.I never gave up because i believe that education will get you anywhere as well as never staying quiet about the rights that we all deserve.I was denied opportunities for work. Even in the humanitarian sector there are no opportunities for disabled people such as myself to lead or mentor. if i am to be seen as an 'inspiration' then i have to be given the chance to lead others with my knowledge & experience.