Hands or no hands, study she must

Holding the pen tightly between her toes, Gurgaon’s Shabana Mohammad gingerly draws a dress design on a blank sheet of paper — stopping every now and then to get a grip on the pen, but never letting it go. She lost both her arms in an accident when she was only in Class IV, but trained herself to write with her toes. And that’s how she cleared her Class XII exams.

You would expect the government to step in and support her, but help came from another quarter — the RWAs of the city, along with NRIs, social activists and NGOs.

Social activist Jitendra Bhardwaj, a resident of Raheja Atlantis Apartments, says, “Shabana is a talented girl and has every right to fulfil her dreams. I have given her family Rs 50,000, and will certainly help her further. I came to know about her from the media and instantly decided to do something.”

Shabana, who wanted to pursue a design course, was refused admission

Shabana wanted to pursue a design course but was refused admission owing to her disability. Currently, she is doing a computer course from the Industrial Training Institute in Gurgaon.

Her father, Kallu Mohammad, recounts, “When she was in Class IV, she came into contact with a high-tension wire. She had to remain in hospital for seven months. She survived, but lost both her arms. Gradually, she trained herself to write with her toes. With rigorous practice, she can write almost perfectly!”

Did she ever feel despondent? "Yes," she says, "but I am lucky to have a great support system, both at home and in college. My father told me to never give up, and, in fact, is one of the main reasons I am where I am today."

"My teachers, too, lift me up, giving other students my example," she adds. 

Paintings by Shabana. Watch her paint with her feet here

Though initially her school refused to re-admit her, they later gave in to her persistence — but still no aid came from the government. In fact, she was not even provided the domicile status required to get admission and other certificates, as her father lives in a rented accommodation and does not own a home.

Shabana's sister, Nagma, says, "My father was going to purchase a plot at the time of the incident. But unfortunately, after the accident, all the money went into Shabana's treatment.”

Her story on social media, however, drew the attention of NRIs.  

Shabana learns to use the laptop gifted by one of her well-wishers, Bir Singh 

Neena Khanna, an Australia-based NRI, and a resident of Uniworld Garden 2, says, "Right now I am in Australia, but will be coming back in February. After that, I will give her every possible help required. Her career will not be ruined — at least not for money.”

Bir Singh, a Germany-based businessman, and a resident of DLF Phase 1, too, came forward to support her. He says, “I learnt about her from social media and decided to gift her a laptop. I will help her in future too.” Pritwinder Singh, his close friend, who is also based in Germany, also pitched in.

Dwarka was not to be left behind either.

Colonel Inderjeet Singh of Upkari Apartments, one of the trustees of Aao Sankalp Lein, a Dwarka-based NGO, says, “Our trust will help her as far as possible, financially and otherwise. I salute her dedication and will pray for her success.”  

When asked how she views her journey, she says, "People say the lines on your palm decide your future. But for me, it was my perseverence and hard work that decided how my life would be."

Shabana talks about her journey