Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • 13-year-old Afeefa from Kochi loves to spread happiness & positivity around her

13-year-old Afeefa from Kochi loves to spread happiness & positivity around her

afeefa sitting on wheelchair
Get-hooked December 1, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Afeefa, 13 years old, from Fort Kochi was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Dystrophy. Afeefa who is a singer loves to make stories from her favorite cartoon characters. Her new found hobby is something of interest to her family and friends too. Read on to know more about this powerhouse of energy and positivity.

13-year-old Afeefa who hails from Fort Kochi in Kerala was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Dystrophy (SMD). A small town girl, Afeefa’s confidence, grit and determination makes her loved amongst members of the disabled community and even her own peers and teachers at school. Someone who loves Disney cartoon characters, Afeefa loves to make stories from every cartoon character and toys that she comes across. Afeefa’s stories, as her closed ones puts it, are heart-warming yet positive. A powerhouse of energy, Afeefa says there is no dull moment in her life.

Never giving up

Afeefa’s mother Anita remembers that her daughter grew up like a regular kid until the age of five. But while attending kindergarten, Afeefa had issues sitting up and walking. When in class one, she participated in sports events and started getting swelling on her leg after which her teachers asked Anita to get a thorough check-up done on Afeefa. A biopsy was done and Afeefa was diagnosed with SMD. But Anita and her husband believed that though their child has weak muscles, they could support her always.

They started taking her everywhere. But Afeefa missed having a good electric wheelchair with which she could move around. Anita and her husband couldn’t afford one, so they knocked doors of many government officials for schemes and benefits to procure an electic wheelchair. But no doors opened. After being part of Kerala-based NGO MIND and meeting one of their members Rajesh, Afeefa’s dream got fulfilled. A Kannur-based organization sponsored her with an electric wheelchair. Afeefa, who is currently studying in class 9 goes to her school in her wheelchair accompanied by her father.

Though many people asked Afeefa to home-school, this youngster is determined to sit with her peers and study. “She is adamant on going to school and learning. Afeefa has a lot of friends and supportive teachers too. Since I’am not working, I go to the school whenever she needs me”, says Anita.

Finding exciting things to do

“Since childhood, Afeefa loves to hear stories. Even today, she wants me to tell her a story before going to bed”, says Anita. Maybe it is this love for stories that prompted Afeefa, who is also a singer, to take up an interesting hobby.

She records on her phone stories told by her mother or other family members. She then brings together her favorite cartoon characters and recreates another story that has come into her mind. Since she cannot read or write owing to her poor motor skills, Afeefa memorizes everything clearly. Her stories are loved and appreciated amongst family and school friends. Someday, Afeefa hopes to write stories for a living though she hasn’t set her goals yet. “I think I’am too young to know what I really want to do in life, but maybe I would become a Radio Jockey because I can talk and entertain people”, says Afeefa whose favorite Disney character is Elsa, the princess.

Though she learnt music for a while, Afeefa quit it since going all the way to her class was not accessible. But she still sings for events at school.

“Sometimes I worry about her future, but that does not stop me or my husband from supporting her. She brings happiness to our lives and lights up any room she enters”, tells Anita.

Also Read:

  • Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Shibina battles for an accessible, disabled friendly world

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding disabled children & family dynamics

Technology

New Voiceitt assistive app enables people with speech impairments to communicate in their own voice

Get-hooked

Teenager Jai Gupta is out to break stereotypes about autism through Facebook page All About the Spectrum

Parasports

'Playing golf gives me satisfaction, makes me happy' - My Take by Ankush Saha, para golfer

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.