My name is Asna Zuberi, a proud hydrocephalus survivor from Pakistan. By profession, I’m a pharmacist, social activist, and public speaker. On November 7, 2017, my life took an unexpected turn. In the middle of the night, I woke up with an excruciating headache. I couldn’t move my head, and the pain was indescribable—I was shouting in agony. The next day, my mother rushed me to the doctor, and after some tests, he told me I needed immediate brain surgery. My brain ventricles were blocked due to an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They had to insert a tube from my brain to my kidney.
I was in my final year, preparing for exams and graduation, when everything changed. Accepting this sudden reality was incredibly hard. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, but living afterward presented new challenges. I lost my hair, experienced failure, and faced difficult questions from people who lacked awareness. “Can you deliver a baby after having a tube?” and “Is this for a lifetime?” were just some of the things I heard.
I faced discrimination in my search for a job because people saw my condition as a chronic illness. They believed I wouldn’t be capable of doing anything. I remember all those who doubted me, those who considered me a failure. At one point, I lost hope of living a successful, pain-free life. But then, I decided to work in oncology to overcome the fear of losing my hair, which had broken me deeply.
In 2021, I was honored with the Role Model Women Award. I’ve worked extensively on women’s empowerment and have been selected for leadership programs across Pakistan. I’ve also dedicated myself to raising awareness about hydrocephalus, a condition not well understood in our country. I now visit patients and counsel families who feel hopeless, showing them that hydrocephalus is treatable. I’ve proudly lived with this condition and become a source of motivation for many.
My goal is to create a platform where hydrocephalus survivors are treated equally and can live free from discrimination. I want to build a space where everyone, including individuals and society, accepts us. Hydrocephalus has become my strength, and I wear my VP shunt with pride.
Remember, every hardship happens for a reason. Don’t stress—find that reason, and you’ll discover the perfect way to live a fulfilling life. If you don’t accept yourself, how can the world?
