Samsun Nahar Mina, Rajshahi.

Her name is Firoza Akhtar Shima, Father- Md. Khalilur Rahman, Mother- Late Mumtaz Begum, Birth- 22nd November 1982, District- Rajshahi, Sub-district Tanor, Village- Horidebpur. She is a physically challenged person. But her physical disabilities couldn’t stop her talent to flourish. Presently she is working as a sub-health inspector in the Department of Food, Government of Bangladesh. Her life is described here by her own statement. In my 4 sisters and 1 brother, I was the third child of my parents. I was differently born than others. I didn’t have the portion of my both hands from my elbow. My mother had to face curses for my disabilities from the village people. She was even said that if she lets me live then she will have to face a lot of trouble in the future. I was born in my maternal grandparents house and many from father’s side came asked them to kill me by giving me salt but my grandma said she cannot do it, if they wants to kill me then they will have to it by themselves. The only person beside my mother was the father of my dad, my grandpa. He said she will have to keep me alive because Allah is taking a tough exam of them by me being physically challenged. He said, even if she cannot do anything she will stay in our family. As a new born baby my scenario was completely different from the other babies. My father didn’t even come to see me in the first two months when I was in my maternal grandparents house and didn’t even talk to mother for the next 6 months because he was extremely angry with my mother. I don’t blame my father for it, a child like me will make a father sad that is reality in my surroundings. My grandfather named me Firoza Akhtar shima which mean Blue gems and example. He used say Firoza is the blue gem of our family and she will be an example for all. I can do everything alone but binding my hair. When I started growing up my grandfather asked my mother to teach me holding pencil and she started trying to make me hold pencils with my leg fingers and I was actually able to copy as my mother wrote the letters. I used go through the written letters of my mother by my leg’s support. Then my grandfather was sure that education was possible for me and he asked my mother to give special attention to me even if she will have to leave the household chores for it. Thus my education life began. I started going to school and my mother tried to teach me writing by my hands and finally I was able to write by my hands. I had to go to school by crossing another village, and people from different places used to stare at me while going to school and many other children said many bad things and bullied me. Once a while I used to think that I will leave studying but just after that thoughts of going further started coming in my mind. My mother used to say I don’t have any way to look backwards, she wanted to me grow independent to teach those people a good lesson who said unbearable words to her and my father and she said that I will have to grow as an example. Thus I finished my primary school, then I passed SSC from Talondo Lolit Mohan High School with 2nd division in 1998, then I passed HSC from Talondo Lolit Mohan Degree College with 1st division in 2000. After that I passed honors with 2nd division degree from Talondo Lolit mohan Degree College in 2002 and in 2004 I passed MSC degree from Psychology dept. of Rajshahi College. I have got help from teachers and my friend throughout my education life. My father was always ready with every possible financial support for my education. He treated me just like my other siblings. Before I joined ADD I used to think that I am a complete lonely person I don’t have anyone in my world but the thought eventually changed with surroundings. I used to take my parents to the physically challenged person’s gatherings to make them understand that they are not the only parents who have a physically challenged daughter. My parents used to thank Allah that they were able to make me educated. When I completely made myself able for the position to diminish all the pains of my mother, just at that point she left me and the world. It was 21st july, 2008. I will never forget the untimely death of my mother. I got a job as a food inspector in Food dept., Govt. of Bangladesh in June, 2010. Now I am successfully working in my position.