My beloved daughter, Aya Aghabi, was born in 1991 in Amman, Jordan. From the moment she entered this world, I knew she was special.

Aya wasn’t just any child; she was gifted, talented, and driven by a deep sense of purpose. She never accepted limitations, and the word "impossible" was simply not part of her vocabulary.

Her energy, curiosity, and desire to make the world better were in every step she took, in every dream she dared to chase.

In 2009, Aya’s life took an unexpected turn.

A car accident left her bound to a wheelchair.

For most people, such a life-altering event might break their spirit, lead them to retreat into despair, or convince them to lower their ambitions. But Aya was not most people.

Her accident was not the end of her story, it was merely the beginning of a new chapter.

A chapter that would see her rise as one of Jordan’s most remarkable advocates for accessibility, transforming her country’s landscape and leaving behind a legacy that continues to touch lives today.

In the months following her accident, Aya began to notice things she hadn’t given much thought to before.

Every doorway, every staircase, every uneven pavement now posed a new challenge.

Places that once felt like home now seemed hostile, inaccessible. But instead of wallowing in frustration, Aya did what she always did, she took action.

She started small, researching places she wanted to visit, making sure they were accessible before she arrived. But the more she looked, the more she realized: Jordan, her beloved homeland, was not built for people like her.

And this revelation didn’t just ignite a fire within her, it became her mission.

Aya didn’t wait for others to take up the cause.

She believed in the power of one person to make a difference, and she knew that if she didn’t push for change, it might never happen.

So, with unwavering determination, Aya founded Accessible Jordan, an initiative that would forever change how the country viewed accessibility.

Her vision was ambitious: to make Jordan a place where everyone, regardless of physical ability, could live, work, and thrive.

And while it might have seemed like a daunting task to others, to Aya, it was just another challenge waiting to be conquered.

She wasn’t just advocating for ramps and accessible restrooms, she was fighting for the basic human right to move freely, to participate fully in society, and to live without barriers.

Through Accessible Jordan, Aya began to raise awareness across the country.

She contacted organizations, institutions, restaurants, hotels, any place where accessibility was an issue, and urged them to make changes.

Her charm and charisma were undeniable, but what truly set Aya apart was her persistence.

She didn’t take no for an answer, and she never gave up.

Every time a door closed, she found another way to open it.

And slowly, but surely, the country began to listen.

Aya’s work wasn’t just about physical spaces, it was about changing minds and hearts.

She taught people that accessibility wasn’t just a luxury for a few; it was a necessity for many.

She showed that creating an inclusive society wasn’t just about ticking boxes or following regulations; it was about empathy, about understanding that every person deserves the chance to live a full and dignified life.

Despite the challenges she faced, Aya never lost her positivity.

Her favorite saying was, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” and she lived by those words every single day.

Whether she was advocating for a ramp to be installed at a café or speaking at a conference about the importance of inclusive design, Aya’s message was clear: Nothing is impossible.

Aya’s grit and determination were contagious.

She inspired countless others to join her cause, and soon, Accessible Jordan wasn’t just an initiative, it was a movement.

A movement that sought to break down the physical and societal barriers that kept people with disabilities from fully participating in life.

And it was all because of one woman’s unyielding belief that she could make a difference.

Aya loved people, and she loved Jordan.

She wanted her country to be the best version of itself, a place where everyone was treated with dignity and respect.

And she poured that love into everything she did.

Even when faced with personal struggles, Aya remained steadfast in her mission.

Her accident might have changed us and the way she moved through the world, but it never changed the way she viewed it.

She saw beauty in the most unlikely places, and she believed that everyone, no matter their circumstances, deserved to experience that beauty too.

In 2019, my beloved Aya passed away, leaving behind a world that was better because of her.

But even in death, Aya’s light hasn’t dimmed.

Her legacy lives on in every accessible building, in every person who now has the freedom to move through Jordan without fear of being turned away.

Aya’s impact is eternal, her memory forever etched in the hearts of those who knew her and those who were touched by her work.

After she passed, I made it my mission to continue what Aya started.

I couldn’t let her dream fade away.

I couldn’t let her vision of a more accessible Jordan be forgotten.

So I took up her cause, and I have carried it forward, ensuring that her work continues to grow.

Every time I see a place that becomes accessible because of her initiative, I feel her presence beside me.

She faced challenges that most of us cannot even imagine, yet she never once let them define her.

Instead, she used her experiences to fuel her passion, to drive her forward, and to make the world a more inclusive place for everyone.

Aya taught us all so much. She taught us how to love unconditionally, how to fight for what’s right, and how to overcome barriers, not just physical ones, but the mental ones that often hold us back.

Her wisdom, her strength, and her unwavering spirit are lessons I carry with me every day.

I will always be proud to say that Aya was, is, and always will be a hero. She faced challenges most of us can’t even begin to imagine, yet she never allowed them to stop her from doing what she believed in.

She changed the way Jordan thinks about accessibility, and her work is not done.

Today, as I continue to promote Accessible Jordan, I do so in her honor. I do it to fulfill her vision, to keep her dream alive.

Aya’s strength, her resilience, and her refusal to take “no” for an answer have been my guiding light.

She continues to inspire me every single day.

It’s often said that heroes are those who persevere in the face of overwhelming odds.

And that is exactly who Aya was.

She was a woman who faced life’s toughest challenges head-on and still found a way to make the world better for everyone else.

Aya showed us that heroes aren’t born, they are made through their actions, their choices, and the love they give to the world.

My daughter didn’t just talk about change; she lived it, and because of her, Jordan is moving toward becoming a place where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can live with dignity.

I will always be grateful for the lessons Aya taught me and so many others.

Her legacy continues to inspire, motivate, and remind us all that no matter what life throws our way, we have the power to rise above it.

She taught us that if we have the will, there’s always a way.

For that, Aya will forever be our hero.

Her story isn’t just one of overcoming adversity, it’s a story of love, of hope, and of the unbreakable human spirit.

Aya didn’t just change the world, she made it a better place.

And I will carry her torch forward, knowing that the light she ignited in this world will never go out.