DEPOK, WEST JAVA — Everyone has their own trials, whether it’s economic hardship, losing a loved one, or being physically different from most. However, behind every limitation, there is always an extraordinary story of struggle.
There are those who choose to give up, but there are also those who use their limitations as a stepping stone to rise, to find strength in the midst of limitations, to have hope that continues to burn even when the road seems dark. Like the story of Ikbal, who has been faced with a difficult reality since birth, but has not stopped fighting to live his life.
Since birth, Ikbal has been faced with a difficult reality. Ikbal was born with incomplete legs, one leg could not be bent, and he also had to struggle when he was born without an anus. From the beginning, his life has been a long journey against limitations.
Ikbal lives with his mother and older sister, a mother who has always been a hero to her children. For a mother, there is no choice but to continue living her life. When her husband’s family did not accept Ikbal’s condition, Marliani was forced to choose between staying but handing Ikbal over to an orphanage or leaving. Her heart could not bear to leave Ikbal, but with determination, Marliani chose to leave, leaving everything behind to take care of the child that Allah had entrusted to her.
“I had to leave home, I had to leave everything behind, I took Ikbal with him in that condition, not yet operated on, without an anus, while he needed diapers, colostomy bags. We took Ikbal, we rented a plot of land with him in that condition,” said Marliani.
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The following days were a struggle against adversity. Marliani had to take care of Ikbal, who needed a colostomy bag, diapers, and intensive medical care. Going back and forth to the hospital became Marliani and Ikbal’s routine for three months. Despite the economic limitations that befell her, she persevered, relying on a small catering business to support her two children. They said that their tears had run dry, but Ikbal and Marliani’s spirit never faded.
Marliani and Ikbal’s struggle was not only in the economic realm. When they wanted to send Ikbal to school, they faced constant rejection. Kindergartens refused, elementary schools closed their doors, and madrasas did not accept him. Special schools were an option, but the cost was unaffordable.
“If a child is ‘rich like this’, they can’t,“ said someone.
“How can parents not be hurt, I went home to register Ikbal for school in tears, this is how children with disabilities are. Children with disabilities are not accepted, it’s really a pity for mothers who have children with disabilities like me,” said Marliani while wiping away her tears.
Her heart ached to see her child unable to study just because of his physical condition. However, a miracle came, one of which was through the recommendation of the Social Service. Ikbal was finally able to attend elementary school, although he still had to struggle to catch up in reading and writing.
At school, Ikbal faced other challenges. He had to fight stigma and ridicule. Even when he wanted to pray in the mosque, he received unpleasant treatment. Marliani’s heart broke when she heard her son crying because of the treatment of people who did not understand his struggle.
“Then he said, ‘This is the fate of disabled people, people who don’t have legs, I’ll make you a leg, but my legs won’t grow, will they? Our hearts as mothers hurt because we went to such lengths because of legs,’” Marliani explained, recounting her son’s complaints.
However, kindness will always find kindness. There are still good hands and good hearts that lighten their steps. The assistance from Dompet Dhuafa, in collaboration with the Nurul Hikmah Foundation, is one of the blessings that has helped them survive. Despite a life full of trials, Marliani remains grateful. She never asked for much, she just wanted to see Ikbal grow up happily, without feeling different.
In the middle of Ramadan 1446, Ikbal was one of 50 orphans and children with special needs who received Ramadan parcels and donations from kind donors channeled through Dompet Dhuafa. Only counting the days until the day of victory, what Ikbal wanted was to buy Eid clothes for the holiday.
“Ikbal said that I’ll buy new clothes for Eid, people have already bought new clothes, and then yesterday Ikbal said that I have an invitation, for an iftaar gathering, and I’ll get an envelope to buy Eid clothes,” continued Ikbal.
Ignoring Marliani’s statement about the difference in treatment felt by the child, on this occasion the Nurul Hikmah Foundation in collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa held a Friendly Ramadan, where the activity not only provided Ramadan Parcels and Donations but also aimed to provide an understanding that every child has the same rights even if they have a disability.
“We accept regular children and children with special needs who should live side by side with the same rights to the same education. Today we sit side by side with regular children, and children with special needs, they are happy, they are joyful. We just want to prove that sharing love and being side by side with children with special needs is nothing to worry about,” said Shofa Basal, Head of Programs and Curriculum at the Nurul Hikmah Foundation.
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Ramadan Parcels Dompet Dhuafa is expected to be a reinforcement for those who are struggling and living with limitations. Ramadan Parcels are expected to bring happiness to those in need.
“This Ramadan parcel is given as a form of care and love from the donors and also as a gift in the holy month of Ramadan, hopefully our younger siblings will be more enthusiastic about studying, becoming righteous and righteous children and becoming the hope of the nation. “In addition, we also distribute Ramadan Parcels to mosque caretakers, the poor, widows and the underprivileged,” said Cipto Dewantoro as a representative of Dompet Dhuafa.
They still have a long way to go. However, Marliani and Ikbal will never give up. Because for a mother, nothing is more precious than her child’s smile, even if she has to overcome thousands of difficulties.
“Alhamdulillah, thank you very much Dompet Dhuafa for helping me, helping Ikbal, my family, to ease the burden of life. Alhamdulillah, sustenance from Dompet Dhuafa, the goodness of Dompet Dhuafa. May Dompet Dhuafa prosper. All I can do is pray, I can’t do anything else,” said Marliani. Then support their happiness at digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/parselramadan. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika