ALOR STAR: In a true testament to resilience, Muhammad Amirul Asyraf Md Asri, a 31-year-old from Lahad Datu, Sabah, who has dystonic cerebral palsy, has shown incredible determination and fortitude by overcoming considerable obstacles to reach a major milestone in his life.
At the 36th Universiti Utara Malaysia Convocation Ceremony, he attained his long-awaited Bachelor of Law degree after seven years of diligent study. This momentous occasion fulfilled a lifelong ambition that had been nurtured since his secondary school years.
Dystonic cerebral palsy is marked by abnormal posturing, tone and involuntary movements. Sufferers have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk.
Reflecting on his journey, he shared that there were times when the combination of academic stress and his illness tempted him to consider giving up, but all the tears shed were worth it when he received his hard-earned scroll.
"It's a dream come true for me, this has been a dream of mine since secondary school. So I am feeling thankful and relieved that I finally graduated.
"It's not an easy journey for me. There was a time when I was facing health issues and I was feeling down. I even doubted whether I could finish my studies or not but Alhamdulilah, I did it," he told the New Straits Times.
Amirul, who is presently under chambering at a law firm in Sabah, stated that he entered the field of law not only to satisfy his intellectual curiosity, but also to inspire others to accomplish great things.
Although he himself was a source of inspiration, he graciously redirected the praise, attributing it to individuals with more profound disabilities who had influenced him more.
"Personally for me, I am still not good enough to inspire others as there are a lot more successful ones out there who face similar or worse disabilities than me. To me, these people are the ones that inspire me to do better," said the eldest of five siblings.
Amirul said due to his complications, studying was physically difficult, leading to three study deferments.
However, he navigated the obstacles by investing time post-class with lecturers, engaging in group discussions, and finding alternative methods to digest course materials.
"I had a great experience at university, especially with the friends I made. They are my favourite memories from my stay at UUM," he added.
Commenting further, Amirul said he wanted to finish his chambering and is considering enrolling in a postgraduate programme.
"However, I also have a passion to speak up for what I stand for and I have an interest in politics too. I would actually love to be involved in politics later in life," he added.
