Nyila Parveen • Advocates • LLTGL

Nyila is 25 years old and lives in the West Midlands with her husband Zulf. They lost their son Ubaid who was waiting for a small bowel and liver transplant earlier this year.

Nyila and Zulf met in 2004 whilst she was shopping in her local Asda. At the time, Zulf was a trainee manager; she caught his eye more than she bargained for (she only went in for a few essentials)! Before she knew it, and at the blink of an eye, they were getting married. Nyila is a Muslim and she practices the teachings of Islam. Nyila's family live in Buckinghamshire and being married to Zulf has brought her to Birmingham.

Having moved around a lot, Nyila went to three different secondary schools (one due to closure), which didn't seem to phase her as she's made many friends over the years and has only increased her confidence.

Nyila passed her GCSEs with flying colours and went on to do A-levels. When studying became a bit too much for her, she decided to take a year out; a decision her parents weren't keen about, knowing that it would be difficult for her to return to her studies. They were right. She went on to do some voluntary work, and her persistence paid off when she was offered a job at a primary school in Buckinghamshire.

Nyila has also worked for Social Services. She made these career choices based on her love of children and spending time with them, so selected jobs where this would be possible! Nyila's life experiences have taught her the value of life and, with the grief of losing a child, she believes by supporting LLGL she can only try to make a difference to many other lives by raising awareness and educating people of the sensitive issues which face us every day from death to transplant.

In May 2007, Nyila gave birth to her first child, Ubaid, on her birthday. She describes it as the perfect pregnancy and says Ubaid was the perfect baby. Due to a complicated and prolonged birth, Ubaid was starved oxygen and severely damaged his bowel. By the end of 2007, his condition was so serious that he was listed for a small bowel and liver transplant. Given Ubaid's condition, doctors had said his life expectancy was approximately 6-9 months.

Nyila and Zulf waited for a life-saving call but that call never came, and Ubaid left his mummy and daddy on 28th August 2008.

Nyila's spirit, determination and calm but steadfast dedication is inspirational to all at Live Life Then Give Life. New to the Advocacy team, she has already made a huge impact by appearing on 'This Morning' along side Emily, speaking openly and frankly about the tragedy which hit her family earlier this year. Nyila's ability to paint such a vivid picture of what life has been like these last few months for her and her husband is incredible, and the fact she wishes to use it to try to save others from having the same experience is truly humbling.

Nyila is keen to highlight the plight of children in need of transplants as of course the death of a child - and therefore the possibility to donate their organs - is something no mother wants to contemplate.

She says "How different things would be if organs were available for him; he would have been here with us today enjoying life and doing normal things that all 15 months old do. He fought so hard to find his place in this world, he fought until the very end but he gave up his battle for survival quite simply because he didn't get that gift of life a second chance, as a result we are grieving for our son everyday, our lives full of emptiness without him. We have to all do our bit by raising awareness and encouraging people to become organ donors so other Ubaids aren't taken away from they're mummy and daddy."