Disabled but not Despondent

studio in Vancouver and moved in right away. Due to his disability, he had a very hard time getting around the city. When the Muslim Food Bank & Community Services caseworker, Yusuf Khan, took up Amaan’s case, he knew getting Amaan a reliable means of transportation will be life-changing. Yusuf helped Amaan sign up for Handy DART, an affordable door-to-door shared ride service meant for people with disabilities. Thanks to Yusuf ’s help, Amaan could now comfortably commute to attend his English classes, see his doctor and get food from the Muslim Food Bank. “I could see the happiness in his eyes. It gave him freedom because without that he was stuck in his room.” Yusuf said. Yusuf saw that despite his difficult circumstances, a smile always lit up Amaan’s face and he was a cheerful man. One of the things that made Amaan very happy was that none of his kids are disabled. When asked about his kids’ health, Amaan proclaimed, “They are all very healthy!” with great pride. Yusuf visited Amaan’s studio from time to time and brought food and clothing for him. Though Yusuf wanted to be a friend to Amaan, he was cautious about bringing up Amaan’s family while conversing with him because Amaan would be overcome with emotions. “Talking about his family touches him a lot and reminds him of them.,” Yusuf said. “I can see his expressions change each time they come up.” Yusuf understood what Amaan was going through. He himself immigrated to Canada as an Afghan refugee. Yusuf was young when he fled the war in Afghanistan with his family. As new immigrants, Yusuf and his family didn’t know their way around their new hometown, that’s when a few good Samaritans stepped in. They helped Yusuf and his family take their first steps in their new journey in Canada. Yusuf is grateful for the help his family was provided which is why he volunteers for the Muslim Food Bank now. “I will never forget the support we received and always wanted to repay that somehow,” Yusuf asserts. “With the Muslim Food Bank, I got that chance.” Amaan has been in Canada for over a year and a half now. He takes the Handy DART bus every day to attend English classes. Once he becomes a bit more fluent, he will look for a job. Finding a job will mean a great deal to Amaan. It will mean getting his family out of a war zone. It will mean being reunited with his wife and three kids. These are real stories where our volunteers have an impact on members of our community helping them progress in their lives. Insha-Allah next week we will bring you another story. Please join us to have a purpose in your life to make a difference in the lives of your brothers and sisters by coming to our events and registering as a volunteer or donating to your organization, the Muslim Food Bank and Community Services Society (usually referred to as Muslim Food Bank) at www.muslimfoodbank.com/donate. Our email is contact@muslimfoodbank.com and telephone number is 1-866-824-2525.