MELAKA: A girl who is suffering from a very rare disease, known as ‘Pseudoachondroplasia’, proved that it was not a factor for her in scoring straight As in this year’s Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).
The disease, among others, had caused Syakirah Karim, 12, of Sekolah Kebangsaan Sacred Heart, Banda Hilir here, to have difficulties in her fine motor skills, like picking things up with her fingers or writing.
Her mother, Radziah Siden, 42, said she never thought that her daughter, the second of three siblings, would be able to create history in the family.
“Doctors confirmed the disease when she was six years old. Since then, it has disturbed her growth and learning processes, especially her ability to write,” she told reporters when met at Melaka Education Department’s Student Excellence Award presentation ceremony here yesterday.
Radziah said at present, Syakirah had to undergo treatments and check-ups at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre biannually.
“Syakirah needs 15 minutes and 32 seconds to complete a writing exercise as compared to only seven minutes needed by normal pupils. Writing will be much easier if she uses the special tripod-shaped pencil,” Radziah said.
Syakirah, who is only 116cm tall and weigh 21kg, said the helps from teachers and friends had contributed so much in her learning process at school.
“Whenever I failed to finish copying the notes given by the teacher in the class, my friends will let me borrow theirs, so that I can finish it at home,” she said. — Bernama