2011/08/14
By Ahmad Fairuz Othman
The 'Semaian Kasih' programme brings cheer to special students at a Pontian primary school
ALISYYA Zaidi used to be up and about filled with boundless energy like any
other child her age, until a rare illness rendered her immobile two years ago.
Now, the 11-year-old needs to be helped by schoolmates and teachers to walk and move from one place to another in her classroom.
Her father, Zaidi Abu Bakar, 41, said his third of four daughters had led a normal childhood until the mysterious disease affected the movement of her legs.
"Doctors told me only two other people in Johor had contracted the same disease as Alisyya's. It is a rare nervous system disease which affects the movement of legs. Other than that, she is normal.
"She is among the brightest pupils in her class," said Zaidi after receiving a wheelchair contribution from students and lecturers of Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Temenggong Ibrahim (IPGKTI) Johor Baru during the institute's annual Semaian Kasih charity programme on Aug 9.
The Semaian Kasih programme, which is now in its second year, was held at Alisyya's school, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Yu Ming 2 in Pekan Nanas, Pontian.
A group of 20 undergraduates from IPGKTI, who are all majoring in special education, spent time with Alisyya and 15 other disabled pupils who are under SJKC Yu Ming's special education unit.
Besides leading the children to a fun dance-aerobic session, the undergraduates, who are all majoring in special education degree, sang songs, played games and demonstrated foot reflexology methods on the pupils.
The 16 disabled pupils at the school comprise those with learning disabilities, Down's Syndrome and autism.
IPGKTI second-year undergraduate, Mohd Amirul Hafiz Mohd Yusof, 21, had a good time getting to know the disabled children and hoped to meet them again in the future.
"They are sweet children and they are very smart. Programmes like this helps me to get used to being with these special children."
Mohd Amirul Hafiz, led his fellow course mates, also gave foot massages for the children.
He said reflexology was recommended for disabled pupils as it helped to stimulate blood circulation, thus promoting overall wellbeing.
"I enjoy being with the disabled children as they are unlike regular children. It takes a lot of patience to teach them. We must use a soft approach to gain their trust," said Mohd Amirul, who has another three and a-half-years before completing his degree in special education.
Meanwhile, IPGKTI education department head, Dr Hilmi Ahmad Shaghir said that lecturers and students launched a last-minute donation drive two months ago, after finding out about Alisyya's plight from fellow lecturers.
"We launched the drive during our assembly, and managed to gather RM1,000 immediately.
"The money was used to buy a wheelchair for Alisyya and food contributions for the other disabled children at SJKC Yu Ming 2."
Hilmi said last year's Semaian Kasih programme was held at SK Bandar T6, Kluang (correct), in which a disabled pupil also received a wheelchair.
Hilmi said the Semaian Kasih programme was also intended to train undergraduates on ways of handling disabled children, which is an integral part of their practical course work.
SKJC Yu Ming 2 headmistress, Yeo Kim Lan was grateful for IPGKTI for the contributions, which coincided with the month of Ramadan.
"Lecturers from IPGKTI have come to the school on many occasions previously, either as invigilators or for programmes. It was then that they noticed Alisyya's disability. Yeo said Alisyya's mother Hamidah Abdul Hamid, 40, would drop off daughter at school everyday, while her father Zaidi fetched her after school.
ALISYYA Zaidi (correct) used to be up and about in boundless energy like any other child her age until a rare nervous system illness rendered her immobile two years ago.
"Her parents often worried about their daughter's disability and whether it would affect her learning.
"But even before she received the wheelchair, the teachers and pupils would help Alisyya to go to the canteen or toilet."
Yeo said the Semaian Kasih programme has also brought a lot of cheer to the disabled pupils, as they enjoyed taking part in the aerobics and getting free massages from the IPGKTI undergraduates.
Meanwhile, Zaidi, who works at the BMW parts distribution centre in Port of Tanjung Pelepas said he was grateful for the new wheelchair he received from IPGKTI as it would enable Alisyya to move more easily whenever she wanted to go out to meet her friends.
"She may not be able to walk, but she could now move about better at school or whenever she wants to go out to play with her friends," said Zaidi.
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