Story Asha Akter

My name is Asha Akter. I’m 15 years old and I have cerebral palsy and epilepsy. I am a high school student. I want to learn, but school is anything but fun for me.

Due to my cerebral palsy, I walk differently, classmates imitate and ridicule me. Then I feel very sad and I sometimes want to die. One day at school I suddenly had a seizure. Instead of helping me, all my classmates ran away in fear. Leaving me alone on the class floor. During a seizure, my body is very weak and I need someone’s support to get back up after the seizure. When I finally got up and went outside, again everyone ran away. Since then, no one likes to sit next to me. I sit alone on the last bench of the class because everyone thinks that if they sit with me, they will have the same problem as me.

But I can’t give my disability and epilepsy to someone else! I hope everyone will understand that one day. Also, my family, because they don’t let me sleep indoors after an epileptic seizure. Despite people laughing at me and my challenges I will make sure to succeed in high school. My disability is also my motivation.

To raise awareness in the community about the problems of our children and youth, we have made a video of Asha’s story, which we share during focus group discussions, parent meetings and open air cinemas.

Also read the story of Jiasmin