Amir El-Chidiac has worked here at the Blough Weis Library since Summer of 2021 as our Research and Instruction Librarian, but sadly as this summer closes, so does their third and final year here at Susquehanna University. Today, I wanted to highlight the impact that Amir has had here at the library and the legacy they have left at SU.
Just a few days ago, Amir gifted me a copy of their book, a collection of poems entitled, “Prayers for My 17th Chromosome.” We have a copy in our collection that I have been eyeing up for quite some time, but when I visited them to help them move out of their apartment, I was given a copy that I haven’t been able to set down since. The first poem I read was the one matching the title of the collective book, standing as a letter and question addressed to a Divine or higher power about their condition, caused by a mutation to the 17th chromosome called neurofibromatosis. The poem expresses Amir’s struggle as they plead for an answer they’ve sought their whole life, before ending with a solemn growth as they learn to live with their condition and understand the complexities of it.
After reading this short passage I was left with a craving to better understand the invisible parts of a person, I’ve known Amir for two years and always knew of their disability, but never did I truly live and breathe their pain and was instead always met with a kind a generous face that was always ready to help answer my questions. Nobody can truly empathize with another person’s internal innerworkings, but we can use literature to express and be heard. Amir’s “Prayers for My 17th Chromosome,” both the singular poem and the entire anthology is extraordinarily powerful, deeply mind-sparking, and filled with delight even in the darkest corners.
One of Amir’s closest friends and the editor of this blog, Amanda Boyer, had this to say about Amir: “Amir and I both started at SU around the same time, and we immediately hit it off. Not only were our offices right next to each other, but we worked together on a lot of projects. My favorite collaboration was the work we did with the CAPS Neurodiverse and Autism Spectrum group. Amir and I implemented so many changes together on behalf of these students, and we became advocates for accessibility across campus. Together we published several peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at conferences and workshops. We even co-edited a book set to come out next year. I truly enjoyed working with Amir, and I am so grateful for all the projects we were able to do together. I look forward to hearing about all the great things they will accomplish in their new role.”
To me, Amir wasn’t your average professor, colleague, or librarian, Amir was a mystical being able to brighten the midnight sky. Amir was one of the people that brought me to Susquehanna, seeing that not only were there other openly non-binary students but also staff was thrilling to me, and when I eventually began working alongside Amir at the library, they became more than just an empowering figure, they became a friend, and one that inspired me daily. I encourage everyone to read and tell Amir’s story, and Amir, if you are reading this, thank you for everything, I can only hope that you will bring on all this positivity everywhere you go!
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