Maather bint Jabir Al Rashdi, a young Omani woman and ambitious visual artist, has succeeded in transforming the challenges of sickle cell anemia into a source of inspiration and creativity. Her family discovered she had the disease when she was one year old, and despite the health difficulties she faced since childhood, her ambition never wavered. Thanks to the great support and love from her family, Maather was able to face the disease courageously and achieve her artistic dreams.

Maather is 26 years old and is a visual artist who offers workshops in drawing and Arabic calligraphy. She is also the owner of Maather Gallery, which was launched with support from the Omani Society for Hereditary Blood Disorders and Petroleum Development Oman.

Maather, tell us about your journey with sickle cell anemia since childhood. How has this disease affected your daily life?

My journey with sickle cell anemia began when I was a small child, as I was diagnosed with the disease when I was one year old. The disease didn’t significantly affect my daily life, thanks to my family surrounding me who were full of ambition and optimism. They always believed in my ability to face the disease and overcome difficulties, and they sought to support and encourage me to achieve my dreams and wishes.

What health or psychological challenges did you face during this journey, and how did you manage to overcome them?

During my journey, I faced many psychological challenges, as there were those who doubted my ability to complete my studies, whether in school or university, believing that as a girl with sickle cell anemia, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my dreams. However, thanks to God and with the support of my mother who always encouraged me and believed in me, I was able to overcome these challenges. I successfully completed my studies, and today I manage my own project, Maather Gallery, which reflects my passion for art and fulfills my ambitions.

Family and community support play a big role in patients’ lives. How did your family and those around you support you during your journey with the disease?

Family support played a crucial role in my journey with sickle cell anemia. My family is characterized by a spirit of struggle and determination to achieve ambitions, and my mother was always my main supporter, seeing in me a strong girl capable of facing challenges and achieving success. She always guided me to be the best, believing in my ability to overcome difficulties.

As for community support, it had a great impact, thanks to God. I started appearing through painting on stage in many community events, which allowed me to get to know the Omani Society for Hereditary Blood Disorders. Their support for me was invaluable, especially through the patient empowerment project supervised by the association with support from Petroleum Development Oman. This support helped me achieve one of my dreams, which was to expand my own painting project. Today, I own Maather Gallery, my own studio that offers painting and Arabic calligraphy services, in addition to live painting at various events.

Are there specific moments that marked a turning point in your dealing with sickle cell anemia?

Yes, there are specific moments that marked a major turning point in my dealing with sickle cell anemia. When I was hit with pain episodes and receiving treatment at the university hospital, my mother would always bring me drawing tools. During those times, some patients saw me as a role model for them, saying to me: “Despite the pain, you are creative and ambitious.” This support had a big impact on me, as some of them began to discover their own talents thanks to my encouragement.

Also, the nurses’ words were a source of inspiration for me, as they described me as creative and a strong person who is a role model for others. They would ask me to draw paintings for their children and friends during my time with them. These comments and support from patients and nurses formed a strong moral and psychological motivation for me, which contributed to shaping a new starting point in my life, where I realized that I could turn my experience with the disease into a source of inspiration and strength for others.

What advice do you give to other patients to live a life full of positivity despite health challenges?

The advice I would like to give to other patients is that the disease is not necessarily the end, but it is a test from Allah Almighty to see how patient we are and our ability to endure. We should see the disease as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, as it enhances our strength and faith and teaches us patience and courage.

Life is full of challenges, but it is also full of hope. Remember that for every seeker there is what he sought, and for every caller there is what he called for, and that Allah Almighty does not disappoint His sincere servants. With every prayer, and with every wish, the divine miracle may be coming to you, so do not stop seeking and persevering.

Be optimistic in every step you take, for you are in God’s care, and after His kindness, you should not fear anything. No matter how difficult it is, remember that you have the ability to overcome it, just start and go, and challenge the difficult with confidence. After pain comes hope and compensation, God willing.

How did drawing and Arabic calligraphy help you express your feelings and overcome the difficulties of the disease?

Drawing and Arabic calligraphy have been an outlet for me since childhood, starting as a normal talent, but over time they became an important part of my daily life. They were a means for me to express my feelings, especially in times of pain. During disease episodes, the paintings I created and the words I wrote occupied me and kept me from thinking about pain and weakness. Drawing and Arabic calligraphy gave me the opportunity to escape from the physical difficulties I face, and when I immerse myself in these arts, I find myself in a state of calm and psychological balance, which helps me adapt to difficulties and move forward in my life.

What messages are you trying to convey through your artistic works?

Through my artistic works, I try to convey messages related to patience, strength, and challenge. I believe that art is a means of expressing positivity and not giving up in the face of difficulties. I also want to show everyone that life is worth loving and contemplating its beauty, no matter what challenges we face. My message is not to focus on illness or difficulties, but to live in the moment with all its hope and love for life, as every challenge can be an opportunity for a person’s growth and development.

How has “Maather Gallery” contributed to achieving your artistic and personal ambitions?

“Maather Gallery” has contributed to achieving many artistic and personal ambitions that I cannot describe in words alone. Thanks cannot suffice for everyone who supported my journey, but through this project, I was able to achieve independence and self-reliance in developing drawing skills and creating new techniques. In addition, the gallery has become a source of income for me and my family, which I consider a blessing from Allah Almighty. I cannot forget the role of the Omani Society for Hereditary Blood Disorders and Petroleum Development Oman, which played a major role in supporting my ambitions and helping me achieve my future plans that were initially just dreams, and now have become a reality thanks to God and their continuous support.

The support you received from the Omani Society for Hereditary Blood Disorders and Petroleum Development Oman had a great impact. How did you use this support to serve art and society?

The support I received from the Omani Society for Hereditary Blood Disorders and Petroleum Development Oman had a profound impact on my artistic journey. Through this support, I was able to offer drawing workshops for patients interested in art, in addition to supporting them in achieving their dreams and giving them the opportunity to express themselves through creativity. I also made sure to stand by children suffering from chronic diseases, and allocate a special corner for their artistic works in “Maather Gallery”, so that everyone can get to know them. This helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by patients, and gave them an opportunity to showcase their talents, which contributed to integrating art with a humanitarian message aimed at supporting both society and patients.

As an inspiring model, what message would you like to convey to patients who feel discouraged because of their illness?

My message to every patient who feels discouraged: You will succeed, you will be happy, and you will achieve your dream. Never despair, be confident in yourself no matter what the challenges. You are capable of achieving your dreams and wishes, you just have to believe in yourself and continue to strive. Don’t let pain defeat you or make you feel weak. Strength lies within you, and all you have to do is start now. There is a dream in your heart that must come true, and the future holds everything you wish for, God willing.

Do you have future plans aimed at expanding the role of art in supporting patients or enhancing community awareness of hereditary blood diseases?

Yes, I have future plans to expand the role of art in supporting patients and enhancing community awareness of hereditary blood diseases. I seek to expand Maather Gallery to have a wide echo, God willing, to be a center not only for art and creativity, but also to contribute to spreading awareness and introducing society to the challenges of patients. I want the gallery to be a platform to support patients and artists who face health challenges, and give them the opportunity to express themselves and achieve their ambitions.

How can art be a means to enhance the mental and physical health of patients, based on your personal experience?

Art, especially drawing, can be an effective means to enhance the mental and physical health of patients based on my personal experience. Colors are considered life and positivity in drawing, as they help discharge negative energy and convert it into positive energy. Drawing is a way to express feelings and ideas visually, which gives the person an opportunity to communicate with themselves and others in a non-verbal way. Through my experience, I discovered that drawing can be a type of therapy, as it helps relieve stress and anxiety and gives the person a sense of comfort and focus away from pain and daily pressures.

If we asked you to summarize your journey with illness and art in one sentence, what would you say?

My journey with illness and art was a journey from darkness to light, where after rain comes only flowers, and after patience comes only relief, God willing.

What are your future dreams and ambitions, whether on a personal level or in the field of art?

My future dreams and ambitions are heading towards globality, God willing, and I look forward to achieving my late father’s dream of becoming a distinguished and globally recognized visual artist. I also aspire to achieve my mother’s dream of becoming a fine arts teacher in the near future, and to contribute to the development of this field and teach future generations.