CHERAS: A young blind woman is learning to embrace her limitations and use it to motivate herself to succeed in her ambition to become a teacher.
Nur Aika Syakirah Mansor, 23, who is a final year student at the Teacher's Training Institute (IPG) here, was born blind in her left eye.
Despite being bullied as a child, she is on track to become a teacher after breaking away from feeling inferior because of the condition of her left eye.
Nur Aika hails from Besut, Terengganu and is active on TikTok where she shares her experiences and interacts with netizens.
Relating her story, Aika said she was born blind in her left eye and depends heavily on her right eye.
She admitted to having low self-esteem and lack of confidence because of her disability, compounded by the fact that she was often teased, bullied and called names such as 'blind', 'pirate' and 'cursed'.
"My childhood was difficult because I was teased, called names, bullied and it really hurt my feelings.
"Some even asked me what were the sins I committed until I was blinded in my left eye.
"I just keep it all in and my mother always encourages me and tries to lift my spirits up. All this gave me reason to study hard in order to prove that Persons with Disabilities (PwD) can also succeed," she told Harian Metro.
Aika said she had always wanted to be a teacher and she is pursuing a course in Bahasa Melayu as her major while choosing Special Education (Visual Impairment) as her minor since five years ago.
"I chose visual impairment because I am also in the community and hold a Persons with Disabilities (PwD) card from the Social Welfare Department, so I understand what the group goes through apart from wanting to learn Braille.
"Alhamdulillah, I am surrounded by positive people and my friends and peers have never questioned me about my left eye. Even at the teacher's training college where I study, I have been able to build my self confidence and take care of my outlook and appearance.
"Apart from this, I always instill in myself that if others can do it, they why can't I. I do not want any special status or treatment, as I want to be like everyone else and if anyone makes fun of me I will just ignore them, which is what I have done since I was in school," she said.
She added that she in now undergoing practical training at a primary school and admitted that her left eye attracts the attention of her students.
Once she explains to them they are able to understand, and they even say that they have a teacher who is a special person.
"I also like to interact on TikTok and I never expected such a warm reception. I was touched by the support and words of encouragement given," she said.