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Behind frontline folk, a woman keeps them safe

BAGAN DATUK: Some people lose their limbs in accidents while others are born without them. Yet some will rise against all odds and not let disabilities hinder their life.

Meet Norfarrah Syahirah Shaari from Kampung Parit Lima in Sungai Sumun here.

The 32-year-old woman has defied the odds despite having no hands, and she now uses her toes to make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline staff of Teluk Intan Hospital and Teluk Intan health clinic.

“I have to learn to adapt to the demands of everyday life using my feet. I learnt tailoring by myself eight years ago because I needed to make special clothes for myself.

“Some even ask, how do I even thread a needle? Well, it was very difficult at first and required a lot of patience but I managed to do it. Now it takes me only a second to thread the needle using my feet,” she said.

Norfarrah, who is also an administrative assistant at Kolej Komuniti Teluk Intan (KKTI), said her effort to sew PPE for medical workers was part of her college’s corporate social responsibility programme, known as #DariKomunitiUntukKomuniti.

“A total of 35 people are involved, including 25 volunteer tailors from the KKTI area. We expect to make 252 isolation gowns using 400 metres of fabric. We divided the fabric to sew the gowns at our homes and offices.

“Each volunteer has a different role. Someone will measure and cut the fabric, another will draw the polar and someone else will sew the PPE. I can sew eight PPE gowns a day.

“We will collect all the PPE on Monday before distributing them to the frontliners. I feel proud to be part of this programme and this is the little thing we can do to help our healthcare workers.”

Norfarrah, who can drive a car using her legs, said God would not burden a soul beyond what it could bear, and hoped her efforts would inspire others, especially the disabled, to contribute using the skills they have.

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