Swampscott Mother Grateful For Daughter’s Strength And Resilience

Swampscott, MA — Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what brings us joy — from family and friends to meaningful traditions and everyday moments. This year, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to spotlight the thankful moments that bring our communities together.

Here’s what Banafsheh Salamat in Swampscott shared. Want to tell us what you’re thankful for? It could be a person, a tradition, or even a small everyday joy — just answer a few questions, and let your community know what matters most to you this year.

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am very thankful for my daughter, Annahita, and her fiancé, Adam, moving to Swampscott this year — I’ll get to see them more often and do activities together, or have them over for dinner. My daughter brightens my life and gives me the joy of living. She has many disabilities that make day-to-day life a challenge for her, but her outlook on life, her strong will to improve herself physically, and her patience and attention to detail broaden my understanding of how we should navigate this complicated world — especially the sharp turns and difficult shifts that come our way.

Why does this mean so much to you?

I learn a lot from my daughters will to challenge her disabilities.

How has this made a difference in your 2025?

I have watched and admired my daughter work to improve her balance and flexibility —this made my small struggles look even smaller, and I realized I could overcome my own small challenges in life.

What do you wish others knew about what you’re thankful for?

I wish others treated my daughter with more respect — especially when it comes to her hearing. She has lost her hearing and can only hear with a cochlear implant, but in crowded or noisy places she often can’t hear people well. Instead of repeating themselves, many people just move on to someone else, and it hurts.

What are you thankful for this year — a business, a community organization, a place, or a person who’s made a difference? We want to hear from you! Click here to answer a few questions, and your response could be featured on Patch.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.