Rola Helou, Lebanese poet and journalist, has bravely faced life despite her physical problems, with a resistance that she also transmits with her words. Suffering from a motor disability after an accident when she was a child, she has not only overcome adversity, but she has become a great defender of people with disabilities and human rights.
A founding member of local and regional associations and forums, Helou shared his testimony, imbued with the grace of Christ, with ACI Mena, EWTN News’ Arabic agency.
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“I feel the presence of God in all aspects of my life. My trust in Him is deep, and believing in his existence gives meaning to my life. Trusting God does not mean being lazy. There are things we wish for in prayer, but faith and perseverance are essential in my life,” he shared.
“I consider that turning away from prayer and abandoning God is a defeat. “I don’t like defeat, but I find myself winning thanks to the presence of the Lord Jesus in my life, because he is the inner power that tells me: ‘Be a socially active, renewed, loving and joyful person,’” he noted.
“May God give me the strength to follow my path and face difficulties. I will never be able to get away from Jesus,” highlighted Rola Helou.
Overcome life’s challenges and difficulties
The poet also told ACI Mena that facing “the difficulties due to my motor disability was not easy; In my daily life there are many hardships, including sophisticated equipment. When I drive my car, sometimes I can’t find a suitable place to park.”
“These challenges would be insurmountable without the gifts of critical thinking and reason. “God has blessed me with thought, logic and mental balance to reach the right places,” highlighted the activist.
“God strengthens me and I know that the wheelchair will continue to be my companion for the rest of my life, so I was never afraid of my disability or ashamed of it,” he emphasizes.
“I am like all human beings, with human qualities, and if society wants to differentiate me from others, I don’t care. There will always be someone to hold my right hand and guide me with my thinking and my mind,” she continued.
“God gave me the ability to face challenges. “I have experienced the strongest temptation, but I have moved forward and even excelled,” he added.
The Catholic faith as a guide
“I have a lot of faith in the existence of the saints: Saint Charbel, Saint Rafqa, Saint Neemtallah Hardini and others,” commented the journalist.
“Every day before I go to bed, I talk to the Lord Jesus, saying: ‘You are my beloved, you strengthen me and you know my pain. If I feel joy, I ask you to keep that joy in my heart. And if I am sad, please dispel my sadness with strength and faith, and make me always believe in you and thank you. Give me satisfaction with everything you give me.”
A voice for change
Helou then stressed that for her “optimism, diligence and a smile are essential. I am also a poet, journalist and employee of the Lebanese University – Faculty of Arts and Humanities, capable of carrying the different burdens of life with joy.”
“Thanks to my perseverance as a woman with mobility problems, I have been able to change the harsh view that society has of people with disabilities,” she added. “I am a rebellious and strong person for the sake of the truth above all,” highlighted Rola Helou.
Translated and adapted from an English version by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in ACI Mena
Amal Chaaya
Content editor at ACI MENA. She holds a doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature from Saint Joseph University.