Standing Powerfully against Problems

Parastou Salehpour, a chemical veteran from Sardasht talks to Chemical-victims about her life after Sardasht chemical bombardment:

I was born in Sardasht in 1975. I was studying in junior high school when chemical attacks started. I remember I liked the bombardments and they were like an entertainment for me and my friends since we went to out of city. At the time of chemical bombardment, I was in my grandparents’ house. One of the bombs hit the neighbor’s house. I was praying when I heard it. I continued my praying but then I smelled something disgusting. The air was smoky and all of us gathered in the yard. We did not know what to do. Nobody had ever told us what to do in such circumstances. We went downstairs to the basement since we always did it at the time of bombardment. But then we could not breathe. I wet some fabric and put on our mouths and noses. I felt worse by the time passing. After half an hour, I could not see at all. My eyes were burning. There were two of us who had burning eyes. I even could not eat anything. Whatever I ate, I brought up. I felt burning inside. I only felt better by drinking milk. They took us to Tabriz by a slow bus that its chairs were taken away. All of those people in the bus were vomiting till we could reach a hospital in Tabriz.

If we were taken to the hospital faster or by a helicopter, we would not have been injured as now. Even in hospital, there were not enough equipment and facilities.

Before the bombardment, I never took any pills or injections, however, after I was injured, I have consumed a lot of medications.

What about your family members? What happened to them?

My father is a 40 percent veteran and both my parents need to consume a lot of medications. But thanks God, my siblings are better.

You continued your studying after that, so you are in a really good mood. How could you keep your mood?

Yes, I could. I studied educating science at Alzahra University. I believe God likes me a lot. My husband also helps me and encourages me. I see people who have no idea of my situation and the others’ like me. I keep standing powerfully against my problems and even helping the other people. I cannot turn back to that time and avoid these problems. They are not my fault and the time also never comes back. Therefore, I have to stand and tolerate.

How many children do you have? Are they affected by any complications?

I have two children, one son and one daughter. Both of them are weak in comparison with their age but they have no special problems. Before them, I aborted 5 babies. Doctors said if I had any child, my health would be under question not theirs. I had to take a risk for saving my marital life. My husband’s family put a lot of pressure on him regarding having children. I took the risk since physicians told me nothing would happen for the children and only I would hurt. I did it and I am satisfied now although my physical strength has been reduced. My sister and my husband helped me a lot and I always appreciate them. I cannot work like a usual wife and mother. My eyes get tired soon and are always red. I have to use pulmotor, though I try not to weaken my lungs and I use them only when it is intolerable. But I keep being hopeful.

What is your suggestion for people injured in chemical attacks and are suffering the complications like you?

They should pray and have faith in God. If you only rely on God, you will be relaxed. After God, people are there to help you. If they understand your situation, they try not to for example smoke in front of you.

Chemical victims need to strengthen their mood. If they are happy, most of their physical problems will be solved.