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Working together to help the disabled

The recent passing of IT graduate Zaki Bin Juraini tells a touching story of a struggle against worsening physical conditions to complete his diploma. He eventually did so with flying colours with the help of those around him, who rallied together to help a friend fulfil his dying wish

Finally, he was satisfied.

After a three-year battle with muscular dystrophy that rendered him wheelchair-bound and fighting for his life, Zaki Bin Juraini finally graduated in 2008 – triumphant in defeating the odds and finishing the race.

“He was very passionate about his course and was very determined to finish it,” says Mr Lim Fang How, 50, lecturer at the School of Infocomm Technology (ICT) and mentor for Zaki’s first year in NP and final-year project.

Director of the School of ICT and winner of the 2008 “Most Supportive Teacher Award” from the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) Ms Angela Wee, adds, “I see a lot of passion, enthusiasm, bravery, courage and resilience in him and his life that a lot of us should learn from.”

Because of his illness, Zaki was already unable to walk when he entered NP in 2005, relying on a remote-controlled wheelchair and his friends to move around.

“His classmates took the initiative to arrange a duty roster to pick him up everyday from one point in school and send him back when his classes ended,” describes Mr Lim.

To reduce the distance he had to travel in school, ICT personalised Zaki’s timetable so his classes were only on select days and conducted in ground-floor classrooms, which are more handicap-friendly.

During later semesters when his condition worsened, the School set up e-learning materials so that Zaki could complete his curriculum from home.

“Credit also goes to all his tutors who painstakingly coached Zaki on a one-to-one basis, ensuring Zaki’s good learning outcome without compromising his health condition, ” adds Ms Wee.

It was the collaborative effort that made the difference, concurs Mr Lim. Concerning this, the Estates Management Office also ensured there were facilities like ramps to facilitate Zaki’s movement.

So what more can be done for students with physical disabilities? Lecturer at the School of Business & Accountancy and winner of the 2004 “Most Supportive Teacher Award” by AWWA Mr Jonas Lee, 44, suggests equipping selected lecture theatres with “a headphone or earpiece that allows hearing-impaired students to control the volume of the lecture”.

“Other than that, treat these students as you would treat your peers, simply because they are normal. The only difference is that they are physically disabled. So, lend them a hand when they need the help, otherwise, treat them normally,” he adds.

Lim Lulong, 27, alumni of ICT and ex-classmate of Zaki, remembers him as “a very cheerful person who was very good at his studies” and no different from the rest.

Mr Lim says, “To a lot of people, it would seem like Zaki was having a really hard time. But everyone – the School, his tutors, his family and friends – tried their best to make his stay in NP more comfortable.”

“In the end, all the barriers and obstacles that were initially there, turned out to become opportunities for Zaki to pursue his ambition.”

Although Zaki is no longer with us, his time at NP forms the best memories of those privileged enough to have experienced his optimism and tenacity.

As Ms Wee aptly sums it up, “Though he has left the world, he will always be in our hearts and mind, as the pride of NP and the School of ICT.”

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