Page 13 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine 01 June 2022 - Final (4)

NEEDN’T FRET

script of my life would be incomplete without the oneself first before learning to love others. The
presence of my family, relatives, and friends. When importance of physical and spiritual support from
they do not treat me as a disabled person, but others for PWDs cannot be underestimated. In this
help me get on with life by giving the necessary way, anyone who is facing a conflict may be able
support to explore whatever I wish, therein arises to deal with it effectively and move on with their
self-appreciation. lives!

They have been the vital pillars of support Families and members of the community at
that enabled me to become a writer and a Quran large should assist, and show empathy towards
teacher. Their positivity has contributed to my PWDs to promote inclusiveness. They have the
motivational talks whether at schools, at mosques potential to become contributors to the success
or even on campus. Simple daily activities such as of the country and also to become role models for
going shopping at the supermarket, eating out with others. As the grandeur of a palace begins with a
friends, strolling on the beach, going on vacations piece of stone, human beings rely on one another
and especially the right to further my studies to a to grow.
higher level, would not be possible without their
support. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree My message here may sound utopian. Being
at the University of Malaya, a dream I thought born with a disability and yet being able to achieve
would never come true, Alhamdulillah! so much in life, may seem like a dream for others
in the same boat. In reality, only God knows the
In psychological debates, it is argued that difficulties endured by PWDs. On second thought,
quality of life (QoL) is the most important element how would an abled person react when a tragic
for an individual or a group of people. According or unforeseen accident or illness renders them
to Hudani Md. Nawi and Dahlan A. Malek, QoL is a invalid? It must be very challenging when previous
structured concept that shapes policies and actions pleasures are snatched away and having to adapt
to raise citizens’ standard of living. Additionally, to certain conditions of disability, let alone dealing
psychosocial status affects the QoL of children with with reactions from family and society at large.
disabilities and the functioning of their respective With any luck, they remain on the sidelines, but
families. I could relate to this fact in my own life some, just disappear. Indeed, understanding
experiences as a disabled person. Nevertheless, I the fragility of life can help turn one into an
am still working at it, and much more needs to be empathetic community agent!
achieved, but at the end of the day, success is a
subjective measure. In conclusion, the author encourages PWDs to
be resilient and to constantly remind themselves
It is my view that PWDs should not harbour that they can achieve every desire as they are
insecure feelings about their condition and isolate special in their own way!
themselves from others, rather the important
thing to do would be to embrace their condition. The author is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Usuluddin
In Islam, it is called redha which means to accept at the University of Malaya and working as a part-time
Quran Tajweed teacher. She enjoys writing, sharing
one’s condition and to be thankful to God for positive vibes, and delivering knowledge about disability
blessing them with this “gift”. As a Muslim, it is to create public awareness. She also loves doing art
necessary to believe in the words of Allah in Surah journaling using stickers and stamps.
Al-Baqarah verse 153: Allah will not burden His
servant except with what he can endure.

I am also sure that other religions of the world
guide believers in the same spiritual way so
that they can face the challenges of the world.
Therefore, for those labelled as PWDs, self-
acceptance is a very important step before gaining
acceptance from others. One should learn to love

Vol. 01, Issue 1 | June 2022 12