Against all odds
Meet Ola Abú Al Ghaib, a disability advocate in Palestine who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of disabled women across the Arab world and empowered them through her own determination to live a full, abundant life.
Ola was born in Nablus and as a young child had big dreams for her life. At the age of 12 she was diagnosed with a tumour on her spine, and an operation left her paralysed from the waist down. Despite the trauma, Ola was hopeful. “This was obviously very shocking, it didn’t change who I was or what I wanted to achieve in life.”
Unfortunately, things did change. Local schools refused her attendance, and Ola was forced to stay at home for the next three years. Determined to fight for her education, she convinced her traditional Arab family to let her attend a private school in Bethlehem. Initially, the school would only enroll Ola as a 'listener' but after earning the highest marks in her class, she became a regular student.
Across every stage of her education, Ola broke the mould: applying for international scholarships to cover expenses, creating community groups with other disabled students and when she reached university, gaining a position on the construction committee to secure her right to an accessible campus.
After graduating with a masters in project management, Ola worked for a leading rehabilitation organisation that provided services to disabled men but after six years decided it was time to address the gap for women. In 2007 she launched Stars of Hope, a female-led organisation in Palestine with a mission to change her society’s perceptions of disabled women, who are often kept hidden.
Stars of Hope is the first organisation in the Arab world to be run by women with disabilities, for women with disabilities. From national advocacy to community-run skills training, the organisation empowers women with access to healthcare, education and hope that they can live big, full lives.
Ola is a trailblazer who has led by example and fought against all odds to fulfil her dreams of having a successful career, driver’s license, marriage, and baby.
“I was born a warrior... a warrior for my rights and the rights of all women with disabilities. I started with empowering myself and I am moving now towards empowering others”.
