Success stories: Turning the less-abled into independent beings

Vocational training institute imparts income generating skills to women with disabilities

RAWALPINDI: For many, disability means being bed-ridden or home-bound for the rest of life. However, people with various kinds of challenges often lead as active a life as anybody, pursuing their aspirations and goals. 

There are several examples of people suffering from a disability who have made helping others their mission.



One such example is Rawalpindi’s Darakhshan Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre for Women with Disabilities. Founded in 1990 by the late Dr Salma Maqbool and her spouse Captain (retd) Maqbool Ahmed, both visually-impaired, is providing vocational training in income generating skills like tailoring, knitting and embroidery to women with disabilities. Currently, 70 women are registered in various training programmes at the centre.

The institute has many success stories to tell about some extraordinary individuals who inspire through their lives.

Marium Sultana, who is in her early thirties now, lost her eyesight when she was 14 but has not let her disability keep her from progressing in life. She completed her 12 years of education at the centre and now works as a trainer.

“I wasn’t born blind. I lost my eyesight at the age of 14 from applying a mild form of acid on my scalp prescribed to me by a quack as a remedy for hair loss,” she said. Gradually she lost her eyesight and joined the centre in 1992. She is the sole bread earner for her family.

Sultana also suffers from arthritis and says “Studying was difficult, but I hate begging people. I am glad that I am able to make my own living.”

Qamarun Nisa is another success story. A visually-impaired and a divorced mother, she is making a living by knitting which she learned at the centre. The centre also helps her in getting knitting work.



“I lost my eyesight after my mother-in-law got me some eye drops for an irritation I developed from cooking on mud stoves,” Nisa said. She now lives with her college-going daughter, mother and father.

“Projects don’t come often, but I manage to make some money and continue to work at the centre despite facing opposition from my extended relatives,” she told The Express Tribune.

Maqbool Ahmed, who is the president of the centre, said he along with his wife started working for people with disabilities after he lost his eyesight at the age of 27. “We need to understand the difference between handicap and disability — as all of us are handicapped in one way or the other,” Ahmed said.

“These differently-abled people can be as productive and active as anybody, provided they are provided the opportunities,” he added. He said instead of giving them alms and shelter, what needs to be done is to make them able to make a living.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2015.