Opening doors for a young woman with a disability

Emina’s wheelchair is pulled to the very edge of her desk where that she leans her body. The Muscular Dystrophy that Emina suffers from has weakened her musculoskeletal system, taking away her balance and making it impossible for her to sit by herself.

When Emina was 10 years old, she had to be placed in the wheelchair as she could no longer walk by herself. “That is when my struggle for education began,” says this petit woman, who looks much younger than her 20 years. As the schools were not equipped for people in wheelchairs, Emina could not continue attending class with her peers. Instead, teachers from the school came to her house every two weeks to teach and quiz her. Despite these obstacles, she managed to complete her primary education. But, as Emina points out, “there was no possibility to go to high school.”

 “I had to grow up too soon,” says Emina, seriously. “My mom works 24 hours a day helping me.”

“We all make sure that she is taken care of,” adds her mother. Her father is a construction worker. “When I crave for chocolate, dad goes to the end of the village to find it for me,” reveals Emina.

The fact that she is suffering from incurable disease, and can only spend maximum of two hours per day sitting, didn’t stop Emina from trying to accomplish her dreams. She loves to write and, when she has an opportunity, she writes an hour per day. In 2014, she published her first, autobiographical book. The book has a sad ending, but after many positive critiques she received and selling 300 copies, Emina is thinking about writing a sequel. Maybe a much happier one.

When World Vision Sponsorship Officer, Sanja, visited Emina for the first time as part of regular sponsorship activities, she was moved by girl’s positive attitude. “Emina felt no-pity for herself,” says Sanja. “I was shocked to see how petit she is, but thrilled with her attitude towards life. She craves knowledge and education.”

Understanding the difficulties and limitations Emina faces, Sanja started making inquiries to see how she and World Vision can help Emina reach her dream to learn. “Sanja came with million ideas,” laughs Emina's mother.

Sanja reached out to World Vision’s partner, the Information Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Lotos, and organised a meeting between their director and Emina. After that, Emina was included in regular workshops organised by Lotos for women with disabilities. Each workshop has a different topic and enables the young women to connect with other people as well as learn. For the past four months, Emina was driven to workshop every 15 days.

“It is a beautiful experience,” says Emina “All the girls are like me. They are all suffering from some disease. And we all understand each other. And learn, as well.”

For a girl who barely had a chance to leave her house, attending a workshop in the city is a big accomplishment. And, not only that, a possibility to attend language and computer courses in the same organization has recently opened as well. “We shall see what happens,” says Emina, carefully. “I can only sit for a maximum of two hours per day. But, I wish I could find some part-time job that I could do from home.” She hopes that these courses will help her in that.  

“What we did was open doors for Emina so she can fulfil her dreams and contribute to the community in which she lives, as well as to community of people with disabilities,” explains Sanja. “In the future, we plan to raise awareness on the rights and needs of children and adults with disabilities and Emina can help us in this very much,” she adds. 

Emina is a real role model: she is currently writing another book about her life in which she will tell about her struggles in order to support all people living with disabilities. She hopes to finish the book soon and have it be promoted during the summer. Summer is important for her, because only when the weather is warm and sunny, can she spend some time outside.

As for her other plans? Emina tries to go slowly: “I don’t think about future,” she says. “No one knows what can happen tomorrow. All I want to have is a normal life.”