Leeda’s journey; from disability to a makeup artist and computer science student.
“I left school when I was studying in fourth class because walking was very difficult for me. I never thought about playing with children or going to other places, it was enough if I could go to school,” says Leeda
Leeda was five years old when she affected by Polio. Due to economic problems, her family could not treat her, so she became disable and isolated, losing all her hopes day by day.
“When I was walking, I pushed my legs forward with my hands to move them. Mobility was difficult and I suffered being in such a condition,” says Leeda
Leeda never had the belief that she will be able to go to school again by her feet. However, her dreams came true when she heard about SCA Physiotherapy Clinic in Mazar city. She finished the school and right now, she is studying in the second year of computer science in Q-Marse Institute
”My classmates are so kind to me and they never make any hopeless sense to me and I am glad of their good behavior,” says Leeda
Exactly, I do not remember, but years passed, almost about ten years ago I got the Knee Angles Feet Orthoses (KFO) from Swedish Committee for Afghanistan’s (SCA) Orthopedic Clinic. In first days, walking with KFO was difficult but I used to practice walking with KFO until I once again got the ability to walk.
Leeda is a very clever girl; she benefited from all different opportunities which SCA Disability Programme serve for persons with disabilities in Balkh province.
“For strengthening muscles, I used to receive exercises from Disability Programme social workers, several times in each month for two years. Most of the problems solved after tow year and I did not need these exercises anymore, “says Leeda
” I also attend beauty parlor group training for ten months conducted by SCA and I completed it successfully”. She adds.
Likewise, Leeda received 25000 Afghani loan from Disability Programme to purchase tools and make her own beauty parlor, now from her parlor’s income, she can pay the university fee.
In addition, she is an active member of Women with Disability Association. She believes that she is not a disable person, but she sees herself as an active member of the society.
Women with Disability Association is funded by Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. Leeda takes part in advocating for disable women’s’ rights through this association.