Despite the Challenges of Recovery, the Fight Must Continue

I'm grateful and praise Allah to have enjoyed yet another sunrise. The day is beginning and the fight continues. I refuse to give up hope, faith, patience, and resilience.

However, recovery has not been easy. I'm still learning how to balance myself. With my left eye gone, I lack depth perception and I find myself hitting my head against walls and corners in my housing area. I become dizzy often. Headaches are constant. I would love to write to you all every day, but even this has become somewhat of a challenge. Nonetheless, I will do my best because the fight must continue.

"How do you do it? How do you keep smiling and maintain good spirits in this situation?"

This is a question Im asked quite often. So for those of you who want to know my secret, here it is:

Prayer!

Prayer has allowed me to ask for one of the most desirable characteristics a Muslim can posses, and that is patience in adversity. For my Christian brothers and sisters, patience is desirable because it is one of the fruits of the Spirit, an attribute we all should strive for no matter what our religious profession may be. Patience has allowed me to continue to engage in our fight, our rebellion, our revolution.

I love superhero movies. And it's so amazing that to some I have become just that - they're superhero. But I just want all of you to know, that within us all lies greatness and power that cannot be fully understood. It's a power instilled by a Creator for moments just like this. To all of you who have suffered inexplicable adversity and survived, I want you to know that you are superheroes to me. We have spent our lives marginalized and beaten down, and yet we continue to strive in spaces designed to exterminate us.

Our voices will be heard. Our stories will be told. The fight continues.

Because the Jay Act is our rebellion, our revolution.

In solidarity and love. May Allah bless you all.

Jose Jay Rodriguez