Undergraduates show that their disability is not at all an obstacle to their hopes and aspirations.
AN accident some 13 years ago left Fariz Abd Rani with a spinal cord injury which rendered him a paraplegic. He was riding pillion on a motorcycle and was a first-year undergraduate in Applied Physics in a public university when it happened.
“After the accident, I wanted to request for a transfer to a university in Sabah. My plan did not pan out at the time,” says the 33-year-old.
Life came to a standstill then. “I just stayed at home. All I did was eat, sleep and watch TV,” he says. After three years, he finally came to his senses.
“That was when I seriously asked myself what I wanted to do with my life.”
My family, my strength : Fariz with his parents, sister and nephew.He soon found a job in a medical supplies company where he spent seven years learning the ropes of the industry.
In 2010, he set up his own business. He became a provider of medical equipment such as prostheses and wheelchairs to hospitals.
His line of work does not allow him to have a desk-bound job and Fariz often has to go out and meet clients, most of whom are accident victims.
It is perhaps one of the reasons why he decided to sign up for the Bachelor of Psychology programme at Open University Malaysia’s (OUM) Sabah Learning Centre.
“I want to reach out to my clients, especially those who are giving up on life.
“With a degree in psychology, I will be armed with knowledge that can come in handy.
“So far, I have relied on my personal experiences and journey to motivate others. I usually tell them that they have a promising future as they can still work and socialise with people, like me.”
Also actively involved in Young Voices Sabah, a local group which advocates the rights of the disabled, Fariz interacts a lot with people who have physical disabilities.
“I am always encouraging them to further their studies. I want them to know that with an added qualification, more opportunities will be available to them.
“It is a good thing that OUM offers discounts on tuition fees for persons with disabilities.
“One of my employees who has an artificial leg recently signed up for the September intake. He opted for the Bachelor of Information Technology programme.”
Initially, Fariz had reservations about enroling at the Sabah Learning Centre.
“I was worried that the inconveniences that come with my physical condition would be a hindrance.
“How do I get in and where do I park my car were issues that bothered me. My doubts were quelled after I met Lamjin Atoh, the director of the learning centre.
The Young Voices Sabah of which Fariz (from row, second from right ) is an active member, after an outdoor event.“He assured me that my tutorials would be held on the ground floor, that ramps will be installed and that parking lots will be reserved for the disabled,” says Fariz, who drives a car specially modified for his needs.
When asked how he found the tutorials so far, the charismatic entrepreneur who converses confidently in English says, “It feels good to be studying in a class after having worked for 10 years.
“It makes me feel young again. The tutors are great. They understand that we are working adults, and thus suitable teaching methods are used to match our learning styles.
“I make sure that I talk to my coursemates first so that they do not feel uneasy. We are a good mix,” Fariz adds.
Among his coursemates in the English Oral Communication class is a retired government employee while another is a teacher from the interior of Sabah.
“The teacher (from the interior) tell us that he has to cross six rivers to reach his school. That is quite incredible!”
On how he schedules his study hours, Fariz says, “I work on weekdays. My business is fairly new, so I am still very much involved in marketing my products, and that means travelling to different areas within Sabah with my staff.
“Travelling makes me tired. Sometimes, I have to work on Sundays. So, the only time I can devote to my studies is Saturday or, if I am not too tired, a few hours on weeknights.”
From plunging into the depths of despair to rebuilding his life from scratch and becoming a full-fledged businessman, Fariz is a living example that one can emerge a stronger person after a life-altering incident.
“My ultimate goal is to attain a PhD degree because I hope to publish research papers which can serve as educational references in universities.
“I have conducted seminars and workshops, but when they are over, the data used in my Powerpoint presentations go unrecorded. It is such a waste,” says the forward-looking learner who also intends to write a book about his life experiences.
Fariz is also committed to raising awareness among the public of the rights of the physically disabled.
“Our society’s mindset is that if you are disabled, it is best for you to stay at home. Why should such people even bother to study? So, it is very important that human and social interest organisations continue to work on changing such perspectives,” opines Fariz.
“I am happy to be associated with Young Voices Sabah, as it is a platform for me to offer my views on society’s fears and prejudices against disabled people,” he adds.
Fariz also takes part in band performances to impress upon the community that people with disabilities can lead normal lives as well.
“When you see somebody pick themselves up after teetering on the brink of despair, the feeling you get is priceless.
“Family support is important. My family members give me a lot of moral support and encouragement. Without them, I would not be where I am now. But they still worry whenever I have to travel out of town,” says Fariz, before driving off to attend a band rehearsal for a performance where he will be playing the guitar.
