by Gianluca Berardis
Even a full decade later, the memories flood back quickly and easily “I remember being really over the moon!” Roya Abdmoulaie remembers her emotions and actions clearly. “Going to tell my parents, that’s the first thing I did,” says the 2014 recipient of a Future Aces Foundation Scholarship.
“Sometimes when you don’t come from a certain type of family or community, you might not necessarily have a lot of that encouragement or know what the right direction is,” she says. “But to have that reassurance, to have that support from Future Aces Foundation and encouragement really meant a lot.”
Dr. Abdmoulaie made her dream come true. She works as a family physician at Hospice Vaughan, in Woodbridge, Ontario. The 10-bed palliative care residence supports individuals at end of life and those diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses with specialized services, while also offering support to their families, loved ones and caregivers.
The work is especially important. “There’s a lot of stress in the world right now and a lot of pain,” says Dr. Abdmoulaie. “I hope that in some ways I’m able to combat that and to help people.” And she has never forgotten the people who helped her on her path, including those she met the night she received her Future Aces Scholarship.
“I remember it was a really exciting evening,” she recalls fondly. “I met so many interesting students from across the GTA, and there were so many like-minded community-oriented people. That was pretty incredible! I remember the awards very distinctly and meeting the person who funded the scholarship. And that was so, so cool. I remember thinking to myself, one day, I’m going to be just like this person.” A validating, impactful moment, that continues to reverberate in her life. “Because of the Future Aces Foundation, I’m now going to be in that position where I can give back.” A soon-to-be full circle moment that could well propel another young person “over the moon”!