SLAĐANA SIMIDŽIJA: STRONG FAITH AND LOVE HELPED ME BECOME A MOTHER

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 21 /SRNA/ – Slađana Simidžija /36/ from Banja Luka has achieved her greatest dream and become a mother, showing that her desire to have a child was stronger than prejudice, fear, and predictions that she would not be able to carry a pregnancy to term for being a dialysis patient.

Slađana has been battling diabetes since the age of nine, but that struggle is now much easier with her daughter Marija and the support of her husband and family, with whom she courageously moves through life. She stresses that her strong faith and love helped her acieve one of her two greatest wishes. "My greatest wish was to become a mother, which came true three months ago. My second wish is to undergo a kidney and pancreas transplant. With the strong faith in God that I have always had, which has helped me more than anything, I am certain that this wish will also come true," Simidžija told SRNA. She says that what matters most to her is that little Marija, although born prematurely, is now developing well, which also has a calming effect on Slađana, who after dialysis sessions hurries back to hold her daughter. During the pregnancy, while undergoing regular dialysis and constant medical supervision, she bravely faced pain and uncertainty because of the risks to both her own life and the baby’s. However, she did not allow anything to shake her faith or positive outlook, being strong not only for herself but also for others, assuring them that everything would be all right. "Even my doctor was concerned when I told her I was pregnant. According to medical statistics, only one in 100 women on dialysis becomes pregnant each year, but my happiness and positive energy encouraged her to support me," Simidžija said. WITH FAITH IN GOD, NOTHING IN LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE Her battle with diabetes taught Slađana that nothing in life is impossible and that, with strong desire, will, and faith in God, anything can be achieved. The most difficult moment, she says, was learning that she had diabetes and realizing that it meant making many sacrifices and adopting a completely different lifestyle from the one she had known before. "No matter how well I felt, I knew I had to be careful. It was difficult when other children were eating cake, pastries, or any kind of sweets, while I was not allowed to and had to restrain myself. But year after year, I realized that it was better for me," Simidžija said. It is a struggle she faces daily, although few people know about it, because above all she is happy and grateful for every new day and every opportunity to achieve her goals. "To other mothers and women who wish to become mothers, I would like to convey the message to follow instincts, not to be afraid of anything, as the love is the strongest force they have," Slađana emphasized.