KUANTAN: The inspiring stories of students with cerebral palsy who excelled in their education have served as a motivation for Muhammad Aiman Syazrin Abdullah.
Wheelchair-bound Aiman, who suffers from the disorder, which affected his ability to move, was among six students who enrolled for Year One under the Special Education Integrated Programme at SK (LKTP) Bukit Goh here today.
The 7-year-old flashed a big smile as his class teacher, Norhaliza Razali, handed him a piece of paper and told him to start writing along the dotted lines.
Upon completing the task, Aiman, the eldest of two siblings, showed the paper to his teacher, who gave him a pat on his back for being able to follow instructions despite being able to only move his three right fingers.
Clad in his crisp school uniform, Aiman said he had been eager to attend school like other normal children and make new friends.
“My parents had told me interesting things about school... I have been looking forward to it and woke up early today for my first day at school.
“It is a long way (to complete my studies) and I’m determined to work hard... I want to study and do well in my examinations as I know many people with this disorder have succeeded academically,” he said, adding that he enjoyed watching football matches on televisions and is a huge fan of Portuguese professional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Norhaliza said, she along with other teachers would do their best to ensure Aiman can cope up with the lessons and help him to stand and walk.
“Based from our assessment, Aiman can walk with our assistance. So, some regular exercise and encouragement will be a huge help for him,” she said.
Meanwhile, two pairs of twins stole the attention of parents and teachers at the school today when they enrolled as Year One pupils for the new school term.
Identical twins Muhamad Danial Aiman Mohd Khairi and his brother, Muhamad Danish, 7, sat next to each other in Year One UM, while Muhamad Hanafi Danial Mohd Zawawi and Muhamad Hanafi Danish Mohd Zawawi, 7, were placed in Year One USM.
Danial and Danish’s class teacher Suzana Zakaria said she might need some time before could identify them at a glance.
“Although the boys attended our pre-school, I have yet to get close enough to them (to tell them apart). I am identifying them based on their name tags. I hope they will help remind me who is who,” she said.
Aiman and the twins were among 120 Year One pupils who attended the first day of the new school term.