Page 15 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine 01 June 2022 - Final (4)
P. 15
NEEDN’T FRET
past patient experiences. I only had one book It was an experience while studying. We
with very little information. Even the doctors were initiated a group. We educated the
very limited in this field in my country. I was so faculty on how to provide a more accessible
depressed, and my family’s hope deteriorated. It environment for students with disabilities.
was mostly my own dream. How can I continue We had a mission and met the faculty deans and
my education when I depended on the wheelchair simulated why we needed a special
most of the time. an accessible path like ramps and toilets for the
physically disabled at the faculty. Most importantly,
I read a lot of motivational books. I recited we were the first to establish an association for
the Quran and the Tafseer. I watched television. students with disabilities at the University of
One day, I saw a lady who became injured due Malaya called Persatuan Mahasiswa Istimewa
to sports activities, and she was in a wheelchair Universiti Malaya (PERMIUM). We engaged a
but continued her life as an ordinary person. That lot with the student representatives, Residential
sparked an idea within me! Then I told myself, “If College Masters, Deans, Vice-Chancellor and
she can, why can’t I?” others. We participated in many events and
I have a new vision. I am not going to stop at avenues to make ourselves visible for others to
this point. I shall continue. I will continue better understand our needs.
my therapy and lessons. I will equip myself to I was glad to see that the campus had improved
pursue my studies again. I shall change quite a lot since I graduated. Currently, they have
my mind. I must be positive. No matter what my a special unit at the Students Affairs for Students
condition is, I need to continue and be with Disabilities. A policy for students with
“me” again. Even though it seems hard and disabilities has been introduced. There has been a
challenging. lot of improvement and progress, not only in the
I learned about being a paraplegic. I equipped environment and physical accessibility but also in
myself with how to live on my own once I continue the policies and personal attitudes. I was pleased
as a student on campus. I tried to convince my to see all the progress. Above all the progress,
family that I can live on my own I hope that students with disabilities can benefit
abroad. My family was very reluctant to let me go. and take the opportunity to contribute back to
However, I was determined. I must do society, and most importantly, to the disabled
what I need to do. I have a life to build. I was not community.
going to be dependent on my
siblings all the time. They have their own lives too.
My parents were not going to live forever. I have
seen live evidence on TV. I want to be like them
too.
I booked a flight and went back to Kuala
Lumpur and continued my studies. The campus
had a positive environment. Seniors and friends
were very supportive. They helped a lot. Some
lecturers were assisting too. Even strangers helped
me on rainy days. They gave me a lift back to the
residential college where I stayed.
hamidah was interviewed by the media after her
I met a few students with disabilities on graduation ceremony in University of Malaya, 2021.
campus. Some were blind, and others had physical (Image source: hamidah Hassan)
disabilities with varied categories. It boosted me.
Never give up and practice Th author is currently leading the publication on social
issues, policy and social work in Malaysia. She also enjoys
continuously to be positive. reading, travelling and listening to music.
Vol. 01, Issue 1 | June 2022 14
