Blind girl inspired by Angkasawan

ALL these years, partially blind student Alfa Nur Aini Erman Afandi, 17, thought that the blind could never aspire to be enjoy adventures in space as astronauts.

But after attending a motivational talk by Malaysia’s Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, she realised that everything is possible, even for physically challenged people to go to space one day.
The St George’s Girls School Form Five student said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had inspired the handicapped and now she was able to imagine being an astronaut in outer space.

“I can now imagine what it is like inside the International Space Station,'' she said.

Alfa Nur Aini said that after hearing the inspiring talk given by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, she was now determined to do well in her forthcoming SPM examination.

“Who knows, one day I may be one of those going up into space,” she added.

Alfa Nur Aini was among those who attended the talk organised by St Nicholas Home in Penang.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar spoke about his space mission and his feelings.

He said the handicapped should not regard their condition as an obstacle to achieving success.

“Being handicapped does not mean that you are not capable of achieving your dreams. The only thing you should remember is that physically challenged people just have to try harder than the rest,” he said.

He later visited the Home’s Wellness Centre, which provided training in massage therapy and reflexology to the visually impaired.