How Difference Became My Strength | Aya Alqaisi | TEDxBaghdad

In this deeply personal talk, Aya Alqaisi shares her journey of losing her leg to cancer at a very young age—and the resilience it took to rebuild her life and pursue a career in television. While the physical loss was profound, she reveals that the most painful challenge was not her disability, but the social stigma and bullying she faced because of it. Through honest reflection, Aya explores how society defines ability, strength, and visibility, and how judgment can leave deeper scars than illness itself. Her story is not only about survival, but about reclaiming identity, confidence, and voice in spaces where people with disabilities are often excluded or underestimated. This talk is a powerful reminder that true healing goes beyond the body, and that empathy, representation, and respect can change lives as profoundly as medicine. Aya Al-Qaisi is an Iraqi television presenter and journalist who uses media as a platform for inclusion and social impact. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Al-Esraa University in Baghdad in 2023, she spent over five years working with UTV, where she became one of the first media presenters with a disability to appear on Iraqi television. Aya is a member of the Dubai Press Club and currently serves as Iraq correspondent for the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar. Alongside her journalism, she leads public awareness campaigns, including the “From the Heart” breast cancer initiative, helping encourage early screening and saving lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx