GUA MUSANG: Five siblings born with all their senses intact never felt awkward communicating in the sign language with their parents.
Deaf and mute couple Mohd Arihan Yusof, 41, and Manziani Mat Hassan, 45, who married in 1999, are the proud parents of five normal children aged between seven and 19-years-old.
The family which is staying at the Chin Teck Local Community Settlement Project near here is just like any other ordinary family. The only difference is the children learnt sign language from the age of two, in addition to their normal schooling.
The couple's third child Nor Ain Mohd Arihan, 12, said there was not much difference compared to verbal communication when it comes to the use of sign language when they 'talk' with their parents.
"We feel that 'ibu' and 'ayah' are the same, just like other people. They may be disabled (OKU) but they bring us up just like other parents.
"The difference is they cannot talk or hear, that's all," she said.
The couple's eldest child, Nor Syahirah, 19, and second child Mohd Aiman, 17, are currently continuing their skills studies in Jeli and Pasir Puteh respectively.
Staying with the couple are Nor Ain who is in Standard Six at Sekolah Kebangsaan Muhammad Fakhry Petra and younger sibling Nor Balqish Batrisya, 9, and the youngest child Mohd Alif Azwan, 7.
Manziani who was interviewed through the sign language with the help of Nor Ain said she works as a cleaner with her husband at the Felda Regional office here.
"We also receive a monthly allowance of RM400 each from the Social Welfare Department," she said.
"During the Movement Control Order period, we also took advantage of the situation by selling drinks to cover our expenses," she said, adding that in the evening she and her husband occupy their time by sprucing up their yard as well as pruning and planting flowering plants.