For many people, their twenties represents a time when life is full of potential and exciting opportunities. The world is their oyster and few things are impossible.
A trip to Tokyo to set up a henna street stall launched Zai Miztiq and a friend to local fame – they were known as the Singapore women who brought henna to Japan. “I was afraid I was going to die, so I didn’t dare to lose consciousness. I kept myself awake till I entered the operating theatre,” said Miztiq. Throughout that time, one thought kept her going: Her mum.
Afterwards, she learnt that the doctors had put her chance of survival at 50-50. And even if she pulled through, they said there was a 95 per cent chance she would not be able to walk again.Fighting stage 4 breast cancer: New mum shares her story while still in chemotherapyIncredibly, the taxi driver sustained only minor cuts. Her friend suffered bruises and blood clots, spending a week in hospital.
Her fractured and dislocated spine had to be repaired using eight screws and two metal rods to hold it in place – doctors told Zai Miztiq that she had a 50-50 chance of survival after her car accident. “I asked myself why didn’t I die from the accident? I started questioning life and my purpose for being, and felt it was time I move from being a victim to being a victor,” she said.
At the same, she started delving deeper into spirituality and religion, reconnecting with her Muslim faith. She took to wearing the hijab, eventually launching an online business where she would buy trendy hijab-friendly clothing from the UK and Syria and sell them through her Facebook page. “There were so many people asking the same questions that I was repeating my answers all the time. I felt it was a sign that I should somehow record it all down,” said Miztiq.
Zai Miztiq found new purpose after her accident, becoming a motivational speaker, personal coach and author of two books.