Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryam Khanna.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I don’t even know where to start. Maybe with Alhamdulillah for everything, including every obstacle I didn’t enjoy. For those who don’t know Arabic, Alhamdulillah means “Praise be to God” or “thank God.” I have been alone for about six years, living in two different states by myself. I faced many obstacles to get to where I am. Sometimes I wonder why these obstacles happen, but once they are over, whether I encounter another obstacle or achieve a victory, I learn and understand how they benefited me. I owe my current position to Allah (God) and my resilience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I want you to imagine this: a little girl who has parents, yet they don’t love her or care about her well-being. She doesn’t exist in their life. At 17, she is placed in foster care, and shortly after turning 18, she moves to another state alone with only a friend and no family. She struggles to fit in, finish school, and support herself. A few months later, she gets kicked out of her friend’s place and ends up alone in a state she has never lived in before.
Two years later, this girl, who had to grow up fast and alone, moves to another state entirely, knowing no one except a friend who was temporarily there for work. Now tell me, do you think this road has been easy? This girl has big dreams. She wants to be an inspiration to others, care for people, and pursue a degree by going to college. How can she go to college with no money, no government support, and no family except for a twin sister? The worst part of all this is that she had to do everything alone and is continually doing so. One thing about her is she doesn’t give up. That little girl is me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a student nurse, and I also work at a hospital and nursing homes. I am writing a book, and inshallah, it will get published.
When it comes to giving care to others, especially my patients, they receive my care and love without a doubt. Unlike others, I treat my patients as if they are my own children or family. I come to work and ensure they are safe, fed, happy, and know they are loved. I make sure of this before I leave as well.
I am proud to know that I am making a difference in my patients’ lives, knowing that others might not. Working in healthcare isn’t easy, especially when you have to leave your personal life at the door. When I enter my healthcare job, I do so ready to make a difference.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
No one else. No one wants to help you unless they get something in return.
