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Profiles
Asiya’s small steps to limitless prospects
Friday July 15 2022
Asiya Sururu Mohamed is getting new legs. However first, she has to discover ways to stroll. She’s 30 years previous. When she was two years previous, a practice ran over her in Ganjoni, Mombasa, severing each of her legs and three fingers. Her father who watched the incident collapsed and died on the spot from the horror of watching his solely little one get run over.
Her mom died 5 years later. Rising up as an orphan and double amputee got here with nice challenges and turmoil. However then sports activities saved her. She has delved into wheelchairs tennis, badminton, sitting volleyball, chess, scrabble, darts, javelin, and shotput. In 2018, somebody from Tudor Water Sports activities, Mombasa, the place she used to play tennis, informed her, “perhaps it’s best to attempt para-rowing”.
She requested, Para-what? Para-rowing is a sport the place the disabled compete in rowing within the water. Two years later she was competing in Tokyo’s Paralympics, the primary Kenyan [and woman] para-rower. She didn’t win a medal, nonetheless.
She intends to subsequent time when she participates within the subsequent occasion in Paris in 2024. Earlier this yr, Asiya was appointed as a board member of the Kenya Academy of Sports activities.
She met JACKSON BIKO on the gardens of the Tamarind Restaurant in Karen.
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What sort of a teen have been you?
Very troubled and troublesome. After my mom died once I was seven, I used to be taken in by my aunt who additionally died. Her daughter raised me. I had very low shallowness. I discovered it troublesome to just accept my state of affairs. However once I turned 18 I accepted that I used to be a girl who didn’t have legs. However life needed to go on, you understand.
What occurred at 18 so that you can settle for your self?
I feel maturity was part of it. I used to have a look at women in excessive heels and need I might put on a pair. Their legs regarded so good in them. Sooner or later, it dawns on you that it doesn’t matter how a lot you would like for what you may’t have.
You ask your self, “what else can I do with out legs or toes?” I went to boarding colleges in Mombasa and Thika. I skilled as a trainer at Shanzu Academics Coaching School and taught at a major faculty in Mtwapa for a yr.
What was your turning level in life?
I schooled at Portreitz College For The Bodily Handicapped in Mombasa. Our academics insisted on each scholar studying multiple sport. I took a liking to such video games like chess and darts, scrabble, wheelchair and sitting volleyball.
The bodily actions refocused my energies on one thing extra productive than self-pity. And I realised I loved it. I grew to become very match; I had nice arms and six-packs [chuckles].
How is the expertise of making an attempt to stroll at your age, what are you studying?
It’s each superb and unusual. [Pause] It’s additionally motivating. I like the concept of freedom, of not being aided. To only stroll. It’s unusual as a result of I really feel like a baby once more. It’s a really gradual and irritating course of.
I fall on a regular basis however essentially the most superb factor is that with each step I take I really feel so celebratory. It leaves me drained however very proud and completely happy. I need to scream for everyone to see that I made one step! [Laughs].
You are celebrating the small steps.
Precisely. And it’s only one step however an important step. I began strolling with assistance from rails then I graduated to a child walker, then two crutches. At present, I’m on one crutch. It’s taken me six weeks. It’s a unique journey.
What are you studying on this journey?
I am studying that the whole lot is feasible. It is simply the way you tune your thoughts. Inspiration comes from any angle. However I’ve to say that my energy comes from inside. There’s little I can’t do if I put my thoughts to it. I’m most grateful for my thoughts. God took away my legs however He left me with one thing extra highly effective; my thoughts.
When was the final time you felt sorry for your self?
Once I was a teen. I questioned if I might ever put on excessive heels. I questioned if I might ever have a boyfriend with legs If I’d put on a skirt. I needed I might climb a tree. Or run up a staircase. I knew these have been issues I might by no means expertise and that made me really feel sorry for myself.
So what lesson did you study in Tokyo?
That as Kenyans we’re a few years behind in sports activities. We don’t put money into expertise, coaching, or analysis. We don’t protect the nice issues we’ve. We need to break them. We don’t take dangers in unpopular video games like rowing. We simply need to give attention to athletics and marathons as a result of that’s what has at all times labored. What do you name, the consolation zone? However we could be nice if we wish.
What’s essentially the most troublesome factor you will have ever needed to do in your life?
Strolling. It is exhausting, emotionally, psychologically, and bodily. Strolling is hard.
So what are you presently combating as a girl?
[Giggles] Very attention-grabbing query. [Long pause] No one has ever requested me that! I get requested what I’m combating as an athlete, however as a girl… [Long pause] I feel that is extra of a concern, perhaps a wrestle. That my offspring wouldn’t settle for the truth that their mom has no legs.
Have you ever ever fallen in love with one other individual?
[Chuckles] Not but. I really feel like I’m neither right here nor there. It’s a sense individuals like me have. I love it however that’s it, I transfer on. I feel I conditioned myself emotionally to by no means run off in these instructions. [Laughs] However I wouldn’t thoughts having youngsters sooner or later, Inshallah.
Do you continue to admire girls in excessive heels?
Have you ever ever longed for a specific meal for thus lengthy that when it was put in entrance of you, you didn’t have the urge for food anymore? It is the identical factor with me. I’ll have my legs quickly and I can stroll however I simply don’t need excessive heels anymore. I might be completely happy strolling in flats.
What do you do for enjoyable?
So I dwell alone. I spend most of my time alone on my laptop computer. I play chess with individuals on-line. They’re at all times beating me. [Laughs]. I additionally spend time writing my guide; the journey of my life. I’m on web page 26. I get pleasure from writing. I watch a whole lot of horror motion pictures too. Aside from my sports activities mates, I don’t have pals. However who wants many pals, only one or two is sufficient, no?
Does it get lonely?
At occasions it will get lonely. Typically it is not. And more often than not it’s peaceable.
Are you content?
Very completely happy. I’m pleased with the truth that I get to stroll after 30 years. It is like being a boss of your individual [life]. It’s freedom, severe freedom.
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