To have a mission in life is one of the greatest gifts Allah can bestow on a human being. Being driven by a mission gives one's life meaning and focus. Mission-driven people are of two kinds: those who choose their mission themselves, and those whose mission chooses them. Without a shred of doubt, I and Sadia fall in the second group.

 

Our son Ahmad was a leap year baby, born on February 29, 2012. When the doctors informed us he had Down syndrome, our world flipped - not in a bad way, but rather in the best way possible. As he struggled with his initial health problems and gained strength from day to day, he profoundly changed us in a way nobody else could. From being parents who were afraid of what he might not be able to do, we became parents who were single-mindedly focused on all the things he could do. His first smile, his first babbled word, the first time he sat, the first time he threw a ball were all miracles for us. We cherish all the things he can do now by the grace of Allah, no matter how big or small. But the biggest thing he has done so far is inspire us to take up this mission, a mission to empower people who may have some physical or intellectual shortcomings and help them be the best they can be.

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If there were any doubts about what God wanted our mission to be, they were removed when He gifted us Aisha on July 16, 2013. Aisha also has Down Syndrome. Much like her brother, she had some initial health scares but under Allah's protection, she has grown from strength to strength.

 

Along with our beautiful children, God has given us another gift - the gift of a mission. It's a mission that starts from our home and it's a mission we take seriously. 

 

The good people of Rising Sun are pioneers who took on this mission of their own free will way before we even thought about it. Today we join hands with them and hope you will join our hands too!

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Thanks,

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Irfan & Sadia Waheed