Roghayeh Shojaei, Asian Para-Shooting Champion and member of the Iranian National Paralympic Team, shared her tumultuous life story at the second C.talk event themed “Uncertainty”—a moving narrative of profound loss, a life-altering accident, and rising again through purpose, sports, and hope.

According to WebDA-Zanjan, speaking at the second C.talk event on the theme of “Uncertainty,” Shojaei began her remarks by reflecting on two distinct chapters of her life: “My life unfolded in two distinct phases—the period when I stood entirely on my own two feet, and the period when I absorbed profound, invaluable lessons from a new reality. In the first phase, life was arduous. I had lost my father and brother, and while pursuing my education, I worked across three different jobs. I would wake up at 5:30 in the morning and work until roughly 9:00 at night. It was far from easy, but my sole motivation during those grueling days was the comfort and encouragement of my mother.”

The Dark Turning Point: The Accident, the Loss of a Sister, and Wheelchair Mobility

Recalling the fateful incident in 2013 (1392 SH), the Paralympic champion recounted: “In 2013, we traveled to Tehran for my sister’s specialized medical treatment, but tragically, we were involved in a severe car accident on the way. The impact was devastating, resulting in severe fractures to my arm, lower back, spine, and pelvis. My sister’s condition was also critical, and after undergoing several complex surgeries, she passed away in our mother’s arms.”

Shojaei continued: “For two full months, I lay motionless on a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling; I had no capacity for movement, and seconds dragged on like years. During that dark period, my mother and I decided one day to begin out-of-home occupational therapy and physiotherapy. In the beginning, we didn’t even know how to steer a wheelchair, veering crookedly whenever we tried to move straight. Yet, amid those harsh conditions, instead of asking, ‘What comes next?’ I asked myself: ‘What must I do right now?’”

Rebirth Through University and Elite Athletics

Stating that discovering psychology books acted as a driving force that shifted the trajectory of her life, she added: “Entering university felt like a spiritual rebirth—a space where I had to reconstruct my shattered self-image and learn how to reconnect with the world. In 2017 (1396 SH), I stepped into the world of shooting sports. After just three months of training, I won two championship medals and earned a spot on the national team. Carrying a heavy firearm, sports luggage, and a wheelchair while navigating bus stairs with special physical limitations was far from easy. People’s gazes troubled me at first, but I vowed to myself that instead of focusing on others’ judgments, I would fight relentlessly for my goal.”

Recalling her athletic achievements as a direct response to life’s uncertainties, she noted: “At my very first World Championships in Croatia, I advanced to the finals and placed sixth. Shortly after, with very little time remaining before the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games, I successfully captured the Asian gold medal. Competing in various World Championships and two editions of the Paralympic Games stands among the greatest honors I have achieved to date.”

Proving “Capability” in the Shadow of Love and Hope

Shojaei went on to speak about the most agonizing news of her life—her mother’s illness—and the challenges of marital life: “My mother worried about my future and insisted that I marry. Through the assistance of my professors, I met my husband, whose physical condition was similar to my own. Many people worried how two individuals with spinal cord injuries could manage married life, but after eight years, we have proven to everyone that ‘we can.’ Even after marriage, we chose to move into my mother’s home so that both of us could care for her until the final day of her life. Amid the demanding circumstances of nursing my mother, I continued my studies, competed in tournaments, and transformed my master’s thesis on the empowerment of individuals with disabilities and spinal cord injuries into a published scientific paper.”

Future Horizons: Conquering Academic and Athletic Summits

In conclusion, expressing deep gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support, Iran’s celebrated athletic icon remarked: “My mother is gone, but she taught me that hardship and sorrow are part of everyone’s share; what truly matters is how we utilize the depths of these crises to grow and forge motivation. Amid all of life’s uncertainties, we must walk in such a way that when we look back, we carry no regrets. Today, I harbor even grander aspirations: winning a medal at the Olympic/Paralympic Games and pursuing doctoral studies in psychology. Life goes on, and we stand tall and resolute to build a luminous future.”

The culmination of this deeply moving narrative was met with an impassioned, standing ovation from the audience, who—with tearful eyes and hearts filled with profound admiration—applauded this champion of willpower and hope for several minutes.