Today's Edition
Mudhi Alobthani (Abu Dhabi)
Hope takes many forms. Hisham Al Wahidi saw its spark when he lost his eyesight. The Siddique family experienced it in the comfort of knowing a loved one got to live his final days with dignity, without pain.
These two UAE stories, marking the International Day of Hope on July 12, capture what the UN describes as a “universal need in uncertain times” — the glimmer that turned into strength and resilience when life took an unexpected turn.
For Al Wahidi, who works at the Department of Care for the Blind at the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, hope became the foundation on which he rebuilt his life.
After a long battle with illness, including cancer, he gradually lost his sight in what he considers one of the most difficult periods of his life.
He struggled to imagine what the future might look like — until he visited the Abu Dhabi Rehabilitation Centre. There, he discovered services for people with visual impairments and met educators who encouraged him to believe that blindness would not define his future.
“Braille became the point of light that illuminated the dark paths before me,” Al Wahidi said, explaining that it enabled him to return to education and regain confidence in his future.
His family also played a crucial role throughout his recovery. His father, in particular, kept his spirits high during treatment and encouraged him to continue looking ahead rather than dwelling on what had been lost.
Inspired by the support he received, Al Wahidi completed his university education with distinction before joining the Zayed Authority for People of Determination. He now helps others with visual impairments through Braille services, assistive technology, and mobility training.
Today, he views hope as more than optimism. “Hope is a feeling, a decision and a way of life. It is the fuel that drives us towards achieving our goals and dreams,” he said.
A Difficult Decision
For the Siddique family, who have made the UAE their home for many years, hope came when they found a way to give their ailing father comfort instead of a cure.
Mazhar Siddique was diagnosed with terminal Interstitial Lung Disease alongside multiple complex medical conditions, and his daughters understood that recovery was no longer possible.
Their priority shifted from finding a cure to ensuring their father could spend his remaining time with dignity.
The search led them to Dr Paul Coulter, Consultant in Palliative Medicine at NMC Healthcare, whose approach focused on symptom relief, home-based care and supporting both the patient and his family.
Fouzia Siddique described meeting Dr. Coulter as an answered prayer. “Allah creates paths where none seem possible, so I will always view finding Dr. Paul as our own miracle from Allah.”
Instead of repeated hospital admissions, Mazhar was able to spend his final months at home, surrounded by his family, receiving care that prioritised his comfort and quality of life.
For his daughter Kashaf, the greatest gift was time. “He gave us a little bit more of our father for a little bit longer,” she said.
Fouzia said what stayed with the family long after her father’s passing was not only the medical treatment, but the compassion shown throughout his care. “The kindness, the understanding and the support we received… will live on with us after our father.”
What It Means to be Hopeful
Hope is often seen simply as positive thinking but psychiatrist Dr Damanjit Kaur said that, in reality, it is something people actively develop.
“Hope is actually a mindset that we can build through positive actions,” said the specialist at Medeor Hospital Dubai.
Dr Kaur explained that hopeful people are generally better able to manage anxiety, remain focused on solutions, and continue working towards their goals despite setbacks.
Resilience, she added, should not be confused with suppressing emotions or facing difficulties alone.
“It comes from acknowledging our emotions, processing them, and seeking support when we need it,” she said.
For those feeling overwhelmed, Dr Kaur believes rebuilding hope begins with one small action rather than waiting for circumstances to improve.
“Hope often returns after we begin taking action — not before,” she said.
