At just thirteen years old, Ayesha is already making her mark as an author and advocate. Born with cerebral palsy, Ayesha has never let challenges define her. Instead, she uses her writing and her personal experience to uplift others and break down misconceptions about disability. Now, thanks to Shine Foundation, Ayesha’s Dream of becoming a published author is coming true.
What began as a school assignment quickly turned into something more. When Ayesha shared her story with family and friends, the response was overwhelming. Her mother, who has always been Ayesha’s biggest champion, saw the potential in her writing and sought out a way to make her Dream a reality. With Shine’s support, The Girl Who Flew will be officially published in late February 2025, in both print and e-book formats.
Ayesha’s book is a children’s story about a young girl who leaves her home at the age of four and returns years later, discovering that home is not just a place—it’s a feeling that never leaves you. Inspired by her own experiences and memories of Karachi, Pakistan, Ayesha infused her book with warmth, humor, and a unique perspective that she hopes will resonate with children everywhere.
To celebrate this milestone, Shine arranged a special moment for Ayesha—the unveiling of her book cover at Storyteller’s Bookstore this past summer. Though nervous, Ayesha was filled with excitement as she saw her vision brought to life: a cover featuring a little plane soaring toward home. It was a moment of realization—not just of her book’s completion, but of her own journey as a writer and advocate.
Watch Ayesha's Shine Dream Presentation on AMI
Writing has given Ayesha a powerful platform to share her story and challenge assumptions about the intellect, abilities, and overall strength of people living with severe physical disabilities. Her writing proves them wrong. She writes under the pen name Little Warrior Princess, a name she chose because she has always been a fighter—pushing forward, speaking up, and making space for herself and others like her.
The Girl Who Flew is only the beginning for Ayesha. She is already conceptualizing her next story, Specially Abled, which will follow the journeys of five children, each with a different disability. Ayesha can’t wait to see her books on the shelves in libraries across the country so that all children—especially those with disabilities—can see themselves represented and know they, too, can accomplish anything.
Ayesha’s Shine Dream is more than just a book; it’s a message. A message that every young person, no matter their circumstances, has a voice worth hearing. And thanks to Shine’s support, the world is listening.
