Nothing will stop her going to school

MALAYSIA - Nur Damia Irsalina Daeng Malis looked elated as she rode her motorised wheelchair into her classroom at SK Kuala Telemong in Hulu Terengganu.

She was born without a leg and arms.

The seven-year-old, who started school on Wednesday, was seen trying on her uniform repeatedly and practised writing with her right foot at home, the New Straits Times reported.

Even the functional right leg has only three toes, two of which she uses to write.

A few months ago, her parents were worried that she may not be accepted into any school because of her disability, The Star reported.

But it was all smiles as Nur Damia attended her first day in school.

NO NERVOUSNESS

There was no nervousness as Nik, as she is fondly known, used her toes to write her name on an exercise book.

She told The Star: "I am very happy to be able to go to school and make new friends. I hope to study hard so I can become a doctor like my father."

Her parents, Dr Daeng Malis Ab Kahar and Madam Rosnaini Mohamad, accompanied her to school.

Dr Daeng Malis expressed his gratitude to the school for accepting his third child into their school. He was also happy that the school had provided a special wheelchair path for her.

"We got the wheelchair for her only a day ago, but Nik is already an expert," said Dr Daeng, adding that the custom-made wheelchair cost RM10,000 (S$3,860).

Ms Rosnaini said her daughter had been flipping through her textbooks and preparing her stationery since Tuesday.

She told the New Straits Times: "I am very happy to see how spirited she is. She never lets her disability stop her from living a normal life like other kids."

The mother said she has taken time off from work for the next six months to ensure her daughter's schooling goes

Get The New Paper for more stories.