It is the wish of every girl to walk the fashion ramp, be in league with the models that they adore and so imitate almost every day of their lives. For Khadija Saleem, that wish came true when on the Pakistan Fashion Design Council fashion week; she strolled onto the catwalk to a thrilled audience that gave her a standing ovation. But what makes the fulfillment of Khadija’s dream even more remarkable is the fact that the young girl is suffering from Thalassemia Major.
On that particular evening, the student of class Intermediate, shrugged all of that off and calmly walked down the walkway, striking a pose at the end of it that gleamed of pride and poise. The audience gave her a standing ovation in recognition of the fact that dreams do come true. Khadija’s journey down the catwalk started when she shared her wish with Make a Wish® Foundation Pakistan, an organization that grants the cherished wishes of children with life threatening illnesses. The Foundation was facilitated by Ms. Frieha Altaf CEO of Catwalk Productions, an event management agency who set about making the girl’s wish come true. In her wish to walk down the catwalk, Khadija spent the day with the models backstage, trying on outfits and practicing her walk, making sure that she lives up to her moment in life to its fullest. During the walk, Khadija wore a designer dress from Libas specially made for her by Sehar Saigol. She mingled with well-known celebrities of Pakistan. Khadija is fighting for her life not just with medical help but also with a spirit that is absent in many.
