Journey of disabled couple Sumayya & Shihas is all about love & support for each other

Sumayya Shihas, whose YouTube channel ‘Sumi Talks’ has over 5000 subscribers has a loco motor disability. Her videos in Malayalam, mostly motivational talks about disability and other social events have a huge fan following. Sumayya’s strongest support system is her husband Shihas who also has a disability. Read on to know more about their journey together.

Love story of Shihas and Sumayya is not extraordinary, but one of understanding and unending love towards each other. The couple, both of whom are disabled, got married eight years back and has been through thick and thin together. Sumayya, now 29 years old, makes interesting vlogs and inspirational videos in Malayalam on her YouTube channel ‘Sumi Talks’ that was started two years back. Sumayya, who has a loco motor disability, has over 5000 subscribers for her channel. Shihas, diagnosed with polio, is her biggest cheerleader.

Growing up with a disability

Sumayya was born and raised in Malappuram, a town in Kerala. Due to loco motor disability from birth, she has mobility issues. Sumayya underwent many treatments and was able to walk sowly by the age of four.

Thanks to her supportive parents, Sumayya got educated from a good mainstream school. Recalling her memories about childhood, Sumayya says it wasn’t a pleasant one.

“Students kept mocking me. But bullying peers is common during that age. There were instances when my teachers also sidelined me due to my disability. Like I was not allowed to participate in dance events. They did not allow me to even step foot on stage. But there were some supportive teachers too, a handful of them”, recalls Sumayya who scored decently well in academics.

That was when Sumayya realized that she loved playing ‘Oppana’, a traditional Muslim dance form of Kerala. She used to dance with her sister at home. But again, was denied opportunities to perform at school even though she tried.

She joined for a Teachers Training Certificate (TTC) course where she met another disabled girl like her. They bonded instantly. Once she expressed her interest to play ‘Oppana’ to the institute principal who readily agreed her to go on stage. “She told me nothing should pull me back. I danced to my heart’s fill on stage that day. Once the performance was over, the principal came to me and hugged me. It was the most memorable and unforgettable moment of my life”, she says.

Creating interesting content on ‘Sumi Talks’

It was her own life experiences, what she has seen others go through and perspectives about disabilities that prompted her to start her own YouTube channel.

Sumayya and Shihas are currently settled in Dubai. She had a medical complication due to which an abortion took place. “I was disheartened and upset. Staying inside the room only made things worse for me. That is when my husband urged me to do some interesting videos. It started off as fun, but then more people started liking them”, she says.

With a huge number of subscribers, ‘Sumi Talks’ videos are done in Malayalam. Sumayya talks about disability, other social happenings and so on.

Though she has worked as a teacher, Sumayya cleared her PSC exams and is awaiting job as a teacher. “I want to motivate and support more children”, says Sumayya who also loves to do craft works.

“Since me and Shihas are disabled, people who look at us from outside believes that we are unable to lead a happy life. I cannot think of being happier with anyone else other than him”, she says.

Shihas says, “I have always been supportive of whatever she wants to do in life and will continue to do so”.

Watch in Sign Language

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