COVER STORY
Anila at Jahangirnagar University
Indomitable Girl Written by Afia Kabir Anila
I am Afia Kabir Anila a person with cerebral palsy ( a neuro-developmental disability ). When I was born everyone in my family was glad because I was the only daughter of my parents and loved by my extended family members . I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at eight months old . The entire world fell apart for my family , especially my parents . They tried their level best to get me treatment .
Due to my brain paralysis it is not possible to function like a neurotypical person .
My parents felt it was time for me to go to school and accordingly enrolled me in a special school . A doctor in the school told my mother that I am a vegetable and can ’ t do anything and asked why she enrolled me in the school . Further , at an early age , I went to an English Medium School . But it was difficult for all members of the school to understand me . Due to lack of understanding about disabilities the teachers got impatient and they didn ’ t provide me with the time I need to speak . I had a woman who acted as my scribe but due to her inadequate experience and academic background it was difficult for her to understand my dictation . As a result , I could not complete my exam within the allocated times . Because of her academic background I had to spell out the words which was time consuming . Then in the middle of a sentence the teacher took the paper away shouting , “ Everyone else can finish , why can ’ t you ?”
In school , every moment I fought
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