Zimnaan was born with TAR syndrome (thrombocytopenia with absent radius), a genetic condition characterised by a missing bone in the forearm and low platelet counts, but Ghazala did not discover her son’s condition until the next day. She was immediately sedated when she asked about her son, and by the time she came to, Zimnaan had been swaddled and remained so until the next day when she had to breastfeed him.
“Tears rolled down as I looked at [him]. But I was calm and thought deeply. My husband and I thought positively: that this child is a blessing from God. He has chosen us to be the parents of this child.”
Although they were far away from their own families, they found a supportive community in the Maldives, and fortunately, as her son grew, Ghazala encountered other, more optimistic doctors. For his medical checkups in the first year, she brought him to India, where the doctors were positive about his present and future development – a confidence that in turn helped her gain her own. “The doctors counseled us well and they said to not worry, he will be a wonder baby.”
Strong institutional support from the doctors, together with acceptance by school teachers and peers, pushed her initial hesitance about her son’s disability towards a positive perspective. In the Maldives, Ghazala and her husband were able to enroll Zimnaan in a mainstream preschool. “In upper kindergarten, his first teacher played a major role in his early years. She saw [that] he was eloquent, and made him participate in many activities.”
Their family moved to Singapore in 2008, and Zimnaan continued his primary school education at Fengshan Primary School at the start of the following year. There, he also joined the Boy Scouts movement, keeping on his participation in the Maldives. “He was accepted so well it didn’t influence our family’s perception of disability.”
For many children with disabilities, family support is their gateway to an inclusive society – a privilege that Zimnaan, now 16 years old, enjoys. Ghazala describes her parenting style as “moderate, tolerant and patient”.
“Have a close bond with the child so that he gains confidence. Never make any comparison with another child. He is what he is and can do [things] in a different style.”
As her son grows into teenagehood, Ghazala strives to slowly give him more independence and responsibility. “As [he] grew up, I saw many changes in him. Now we gradually give him responsibilities, [and] he feels proud of it.”
“I am proud of him because he [sees] his disability in a positive manner and takes up challenges. His determination to achieve his goals is very strong.”
This article is a part of our #AbleFamilies campaign in Singapore. Stay tuned for real life stories, advice and experiences from people who believe in and represent the potential of all kids. By now empowering the thousands of kids with disabilities in Singapore and supporting their parents and caregivers, we strengthen the next generation of citizens to promote a more inclusive Singapore.
