Farhan Saeed: It's the ability that matters, not disability

Being handicapped is not disability — the polio-stricken Farhan Saeed, representing Pakistan with a crutch, illustrates that aptly as he runs in to bowl fast.

The physical handicap is easily overcome through hard work and determination, proving his ability just like any other. The 26-year-old isn't as fast and fearsome as Shoaib Akhtar was but is not short on resolve, showing not just the handicapped that there is life beyond the disability but also able individuals who have given up on life following minor setbacks.

Farhan is not the only one showing courage beyond his limitations, the whole team is. But the sight of him – a fast-bowler – amazes spectators when he hops, part runs, in, maintaining his balance with utmost ease despite the use of a crutch as he gets into his delivery stride.

With a humble background, Farhan, aged two, had the added worries when polio tendered his left leg unusable. But, instead of adding to his woes, it proved to be the direct opposite.

"My disability has actually given me strength," said Farhan, who is part of Pakistan's disabled squad currently playing a one-day series against England. "I couldn't have achieved all this success without it."

Farhan started playing cricket aged 14 but his biggest obstacle were his peers, not his leg.

"My biggest worry was the bunch of onlookers, people who constantly 'advised' me. They always told me that I will fall while running with crutches.

"But I never faltered. I was always confident, which was, and still is, my strength to carry on despite the shortcomings. People who used to make fun of me now respect me, a fact that motivates me a lot."

Passion needs money to be pursued

Despite the willingness to defy nature, an individual still needs money to pursue his aims. Disabled cricket is not a lucrative sport and Farhan's inclusion in the national team doesn't guarantee a decent livelihood.

Therefore, Farhan works as a checker in a garment factory where he earns Rs8,000 per month. Even that meagre amount is not guaranteed because Farhan needs to skip his shifts in order to attend training sessions.

"At least at work I feel good because I'm treated as a normal human being. I go there, and pursue cricket, with the knowledge that one day, I'll be earning more as I know hard work never goes in vain."

Knowing fully well how isolation can put disabled individuals down further, Farhan advises other disabled people to make their lives more active.

"I believe that disabled people can do a lot more than people think they can. Many people just like me get involved with drugs due to the inferiority complex they attain from somewhere and waste their lives.

"I strongly advise them to live just like normal people. Forget that you have a disability. That will help them come out of the hole they've gone in. Explore yourself because you can then discover extraordinary qualities in you."

Despite making it to the national squad, Farhan hasn't stopped dreaming yet.

"I want to serve my country the way our other cricket heroes are doing. I'm confident of success because of my continuous hard work and willingness to perform."

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2012.