For over 15 years, Nazish has been a reliable and reassuring presence at Mind Forward. As an experienced Neurorehabilitation Facilitator at our Conover residence, Nazish works with our clients every day to make sure that their care is not only effective, but personalized. In addition to her front-line work, Nazish has been instrumental in the organization’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and has contributed to initiatives that strengthen inclusion and respect across the agency. Her work is guided by a long-standing interest in brain health and a strong commitment to advocacy.
Below, Nazish shares more about her role, what motivates her, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Q: Can you describe your role at Mind Forward?
Nazish: “My role is to ensure an effective service delivery to our clients through individualized service programs. In doing so, I uphold Mind Forward’s values and mission statement which strive to provide our clients with a higher quality of life while fostering a respectable and inclusive work environment for the staff.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Nazish: “I feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment knowing I am supporting individuals who are struggling to cope with life aspects that I may take for granted. It is highly meaningful to advocate for those that cannot always advocate for themselves. Knowing I brought a smile to our clients’ face is simply a feel-good moment for me.”
Q: Is there a significant learning moment that has stayed with you?
Nazish: “Among the many things I have learned through my work tenure with ABI, the most important one for me was to not take anything in life for granted – even as little as standing, sitting, or laying down as I wish. Tasks that I do not have to think about before doing them can be daunting and stressful for the individuals that I support. As a result, my sense of gratitude has magnified after working with persons with ABI.”
Q: What are you passionate about outside of work?
Nazish: “I am passionate about mentoring youth in my community and connecting them with support and guidance in various life aspects such as transitioning from schools to college or university, resume writing, mental health support, and navigating changes in mind and body through the adolescent years.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this field as a career?
Nazish: “I would advise them to do some homework and learn about the impact of brain injuries on people’s lives and behaviour. Be open to building healthy professional relationships with clients and understand that no two brain injuries are alike. Every affected person is different, so stay patient as you learn about their uniqueness.”
And one fun fact…
Nazish never thought she would enjoy having a cat…until her children convinced her otherwise. Now, she can’t imagine her life without Marco, the furry family member who has won her over with his affection and playful personality.
Fifteen years in, Nazish continues to show us all what it means to support others with care, respect, and intention. Mind Forward is thankful for the depth of experience, compassion, and leadership she brings to our community every day.