Defying the odds

AZRA Ebrahim, 18, is not only a scholar but now holds a black belt too, she received her first internationally recognised black belt on March 10.

She joined Karate at the age of eight because her father Asgar Ebrahim and mother Rustida believed it will boost her confidence.

Despite being classified as legally blind, Azra was born with bilateral optic atrophy condition she has been visually impaired her whole life.

ALSO READ: Matriculant beats odds tops province and country among special needs learners

Azra however views her condition as part of her and is willing to teach people about her condition.

“I enjoy educating others about my disability because it is better that they ask questions rather than remain ignorant. In my case, my optic nerves are severely damaged or underdeveloped, leaving me with about 30% remaining vision, causing me to be classified as legally blind. A person is classified as legally blind when their vision is less than 6/60, meaning that what the person sees at six meters away, a fully sighted person can see 60 meters away,” she said.

Azra is now studying Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Social Science, majoring in Psychology and Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

But says she loves karate and doesn’t miss a class and one day hopes to teach a karate class. Asgar Ebrahim said that he is so proud of her daughter for achieving such great things.

“She is defying the odds and you can see the determination in her eyes when she does karate. Even sensei Justin Miller says she is doing well and is a great student,” said Asgar.

Rustida expressed how support can go a long way. “This achievement should say to other disabled children, you can do it, you can do anything you put your mind to. It should also tell all parents that children need us to support them at all times. I also was skeptical when Azra first started karate, but sensei Justin assured me that Azra is more than capable to do this,” she said.

Sensei Justin Miller said he did not have any challenges in training Azra. “She was not the first disabled person I have ever trained, I have trained two deaf students. I know how to handle my students I have been doing this for 47- years, and also started as a white belt. This child is a genius she follows instruction so well and is easy to train,” Justin said.

DID YOU KNOW? 

Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.

To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 084 418 2286.

The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – why not join us there?  

Do you have more information pertaining to this story?

Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.  

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)