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‘not Angry Or Disappointed’: Devoted Mum Cares For 4 Special-needs Children
Nurhidayu Mohamad Kamal with her husband, Ahmad Ibrahim Ismail, and their four daughters.
PETALING JAYA: If raising just one child isn’t always easy, imagine being blessed with four children who have special needs.
The challenge is undoubtedly great, but 35-year-old Nurhidayu Mohamad Kamal says she does not feel angry or disappointed. Instead, she is grateful for everything God has given her.
Her four children – 12-year-old Izz Zahraa Ahmad Ibrahim; 10-year-old twins Izz Azelea and Izz Adelea; and seven-year-old Izz Zinnirah – were each born with various conditions, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning difficulties.
In spite of this, Nurhidayu strives to raise them as best as she can. “I have accepted my situation. Perhaps it’s a test for me. But I’ve never rejected what has been fated, and I accept them just as they are,” she told FMT.
She said the biggest challenge comes from managing her third child Izz Adelea, who has moderate autism and has difficulty communicating.
“She doesn’t understand the dangers around her; once, she even jumped from the first floor of a building. I’m grateful she didn’t suffer serious injuries,” said Nurhidayu, who runs a food business in Slim River, Perak.
In addition, she is thankful that her husband, Ahmad Ibrahim Ismail, 36, is always supportive in caring for their children. “In fact, between the two of us, he is the more patient one,” she shared.
(From left) Twins Izz Azalea and Izz Adelea, 10; Izz Zinnirah, 7; and Izz Zahraa, 12.Nurhidayu believes it’s important for parents of special-needs kids to seek knowledge about their conditions. “This not only helps the children but also contributes to their positive development.
“My husband and I have learnt a lot from hospital therapists, and we sometimes obtain tips and information online,” said Nurhidayu, who also receives strong support from her family and the children’s school.
While she does admit to feeling tired every so often, she remains motivated to care for her children’s needs and never sees them as a burden.
That said, she confesses to being worried about her children’s safety in an increasingly difficult world. “I can’t always be with them at school, and sometimes there are people who mock them. I just hope that one day, they will be wise and independent.
“My husband and I also have strong faith that our eldest daughter will take on the role of caring for her siblings when we are no longer around,” she concluded.
