Disabled teacher tells of her tower of strength

Monday August 1, 2011

Disabled teacher tells of her tower of strength

By R.S.N. MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my

MALACCA: Wheelchair-bound English teacher Zainun Abdul Jalil is thankful that a coursemate she spurned during her college days is now her knight in shining armour.

The 46-year-old had once rejected her husband Nor Haime Abd Rahim's marriage proposal but is grateful the man she once hated has stuck by her side during difficult times.

“We never got along during our days at a teacher training college in Kuala Lumpur although he was always asking me to marry him,” she recalled in an interview.

Dedicated: Zainun interacting with her students during her teaching session at SRK Seri Duyung in Malacca.

Her husband, however, knew they were meant to be. Nor Haime decided to directly ask Zainun's father for her hand in marriage in 1986 even though she had rejected his proposal countless times.

“My father called me the next day and said that he liked Nor Haime's modesty.

“He said my family wanted me to marry him.

“I dared not disobey my father and agreed to marry Nor Haime,” she said.

Zainun added that she fell in love with Nor Haime after marriage, drawn to his caring nature.

“I guess my matrimony was arranged by God as the Al-Mighty knew I would one day be immobilised and sent an angel to care for me,” she said.

Zainun has been restricted to a wheelchair after undergoing corrective surgery for a gynaecological ailment in 2006.

“Despite my condition and the fact that I was unable to conceive a child, Nor Haime did not remarry,” said Zainun..

She transferred to her current school, SRK Seri Duyung so that her husband could help her carry out her responsibilities as an English teacher.

“He is my pillar of strengh, literally. He is very tall and strong and can carry me easily,” she said.

Zainun has been given a special classroom on the ground floor of the school where she conducts her lessons.

“I am blessed to have understanding colleagues and pupils who have always been willing to to assist me and my husband whenever we need help,” she added.