Sunday June 3, 2012

Nerve disease no barrier for gutsy Nur Fatihah

KUALA TERENGGANU: Nur Fatihah Abdul Karim, who is suffering from nerve disease, uses her feet to type on the computer and she is determined not to let the ill-ness rob her of the chance to learn.

Her mother Mahani Mat Laila, 33, said her daughter was resilient despite her condition and insisted on studying like other children her age.

The 11-year-old was born with the disease and has limited use of her hands.

Touched by Nur Fatihah’s determination, the state government has decided to provide her medical and financial assistance.

Refusing to be hindered: Ahmad Said (right) and his wife Toh Puan Norliza Mahmud (left) admiring Nur Fatihah’s unconventional skills, while Mahani looks on at their home at Kampung Gong Kiat in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said noticed Nur Fatihah during a recent distribution of free e-books to primary school students.

“I was touched to see the little girl typing on the e-book using her feet.

“First, we will get a specialist on nerve disease to meet Nur Fatihah,” he said after visiting the girl at her home at Kampung Gong Kiat here yesterday.

Mahani said the family was grateful for the assistance.

She said the kind gesture from the state government would spur the gutsy Nur Fatihah to do even better in her studies.

“My daughter is a fighter and she keeps trying to do things just like other children, such as using the computer keyboard.

“Her hands may be of limited use but she has improvised by using her feet instead,” she said.

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