‘A World’ by Haris Ahmed

Bradford poet Haris Ahmed, 24, shares A World, a powerful poem shaped by his lived experience and read by ADASS Trustee Fazeela Hafejee at the ADASS Spring Seminar 2026.

I dream of a world of opportunity,
Where my diagnosis doesn’t define me,
Where my diagnosis doesn’t confide me,
To not partaking in society.

A world where I feel heard instead of hurt,
And don’t feel like a burden.

Where I can seek support not JUST when it “starts to worsen.”

I dream of a world where I have a say,
And my appointments mean more than inconveniencing my day.

A world where we Act As One.
So I can stop feeling numb,
And my blip’s a bump in the road
Instead of something to which I can succumb,

A world when I need it the most
It’s easy to pick up the phone,
Because living “Happy, Healthy at Home”
Doesn’t mean I should do it alone.

Good care is not just plasters and sutures,
It’s setting up for better lives,
and creating a brighter future.

A world where if i’ve explained what’s not allowing me to succeed,
And I’m faced with somebody new, they understand my needs,
And I know each person’s name,
And feel empowered not ashamed,
And when I leave not dreading the next time I find myself here again.

I want a world where those around me know what to do,
Instead of stressing just as much, when they can’t get in touch with ‘you.’

A world where validation’s not a one-off occasion,
And my outcome is something more than a course of medication,
And I’m not immediately discharged when I struggle to engage,
And I’m treated like a human, instead of labelled a ‘complex case’

A world where I have a chance of a Healthy Mind,
Where my care is co-designed,
And I have the chance to shine,
And should I start to decline, I’m reassured that I’ll be fine.

So in this world of opportunity,
Where my diagnosis doesn’t define me,
Where my diagnosis doesn’t confide me,

I am free, to be me.

Haris Ahmed is a poet and spoken word artist from Bradford. With a background in professional storytelling, he’s worked with organisations including Common Wealth Theatre Company, NHS England, and Leeds Community Foundation.