ŞÎRÎN SALIH

Sulaymaniyah - Kejal Xelîl Seîd is a visually disabled woman working in the religious affairs office in Sulaymaniyah and she is a woman with special abilities. When she was a child, she underwent an operation and lost vision in one eye. She barely sees with her other eye. But she never gives up and struggles to stand on her own feet despite all obstacles. NuJINHA spoke to her about her story and struggle.

“When I was a child, I had many dreams”

Stating that she has been a visually disabled woman since her childhood, Kejal Xelîl Seîd said, “Being visually disabled person is very bad. When children went to school, I could not. I was always at home listening to the radio. Then, I attended a Quran course held by the Rûşna Association. I was good at reading the Quran and completed the course in a short time.”

“I improved myself by listening to the records”

Indicating that she improved her reading skills by attending the course, she said that she improved her reading skills more by listening to the records at home. “I continued to study at home. Then, I took an exam for ninth graders. Some officials read and I listened to them in order to answer the questions. I passed the exam.”

“I did not listen to what other people said and studied hard”

Speaking about how she studied law at the University of Sulaimani, she said that people around her told her that she could not study law because she was a visually disabled person. Despite all the comments, she studied hard and graduated from law school.

“In 1998, I started working for the religious affairs office in Sulaymaniyah. I graduated from law at the University of Sulaimani with a good credit score. I believe that people with disabilities can overcome all obstacles through perseverance. My friends at university helped me a lot. They recorded all the lessons. I listened to them to understand the subjects and pass the exams.”

Her family also supported her educational life. “The family support is very important for people with disabilities,” she noted.

“I have overcame obstacles by standing firm”

Emphasizing that the individuals with disabilities are also a part of life and that they often face great challenges, Kejal Xelîl Seîd said, “They face challenges everywhere. Therefore, people should be more sensitive to these individuals and facilitate everything for them. Life is more difficult for us and we should overcome all obstacles and challenges by standing firm. Particularly women with disabilities should stand on their own feet. The obstacles I face make me a strong woman. People should try to facilitate life because life is not easy for everyone. I have proved that the individuals with disabilities can also participate in the labor force.”

They do not receive necessary support

Speaking about the demands of the individuals with disabilities, Kejal Xelîl Seîd said that the government does not offer necessary support to the individuals with disabilities. “We are people with special needs; however, the government does not help us. Only charities help us. The Rûşnayî Association carries out many activities and events for the individuals with disabilities. In other countries, all materials needed for visually disabled people are provided by states. But here, we are left alone. I want to call on all women, particularly women with disabilities, to stand on their own feet by struggling.”