Inspirational
A Story of a Girl with No Hands
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) may live a different, sometimes, difficult life but one young lady remains optimistic despite her disability.
Born with no hands who stands barely three feet, Fatima Oandasan Oblero remains hopeful, studious, and grateful.
The fifth child of parents Rodrigo and Violeta Oblero of Corro-oy village in the mountainous town of Santol, La Union, Fatima knows how to figure out her own way, but asks for help for some special needs.
She said her father would carry her on his shoulder, crossing a hanging bridge on their way and would walk miles or wait long hours for a public utility vehicle just to reach school.
Despite her ordeal, Fathy, as her friends fondly call her, is a consistent academic achiever and one of the top students during her elementary years. Now a Grade 12 student at Corro-oy National High School, she secures her spot in the top ten percent of her class.
“Living with this condition is not easy, but with my loving parents and supportive siblings and people who care for me, I am complete,” she said.
“I hope students would persevere in their studies. If I can do it, so can they,” she added.
Fatima’s father does not have a permanent job while her mother only stays at home as a housewife. With difficulty to make ends meet, in addition to her physical abnormality, to study in college for Fatima is not certain.
But if given an opportunity to pursue a college degree, she shared that she wants to take up architecture. This dream started when she learned how to hold a pencil with her short arm, as she loves sketching and drawing houses and buildings.
Rebecca Gonzales, her class adviser, said Fatima excels in most of her subjects. She mingles with her class and schoolmates like any other student and regularly goes to school even during rainy days.
With her short arm, Fatima O. Oblero, shows her skills for sketching and drawing houses and buildings. (JNPD/PIA-1)
Even with limited capacities, she also helps at home by doing some of the household chores.
She continues her schooling through a scholarship grant provided by the Provincial Government of La Union and cash grant as beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
When asked about her dream for her family, she simply answered, “I just want to finish my studies and bring back all the love and support that they gave me.”
Again, she is Fatima Oandasan Oblero. She has been a subject of ridicule, she has been named names, and pitied, but she would remain unfazed. (JNPD/AHFF/PIA-1)
