BEING disabled has not stopped single mum Norhaslina Suria Mohamed from learning new skills to support her family.
The 43-year-old from Jalan Pusara, Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu, said a spinal cord injury had left her bedridden for eight years.
Consequently, her late husband Mohamad Ridhuan Mohd Yusoff had been the family’s sole breadwinner then.
“Before falling ill, I worked as a clerk at an oil-and-gas company, while my late husband took on hospital contracts for sanitising clinical equipment.
“But he had to quit to take care of me and our children.
“Life was very difficult as we had no stable income,” she told Bernama when met at the “Ikon Prihatin: Wanita Bangkit Dari Kemahiran Kepada Pendapatan” programme by the Malaysian Woman Icon Club (KWIM).
Norhaslina underwent rehabilitation at Kuala Terengganu Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Rehabilitation Centre before enrolling in a sewing course a year later.
She then started a business at the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) bus terminal.
“After undergoing rehabilitation, I was able to get up and move around using a wheelchair. Then PERKESO offered me a three-month sewing course.
“During that period, I stayed at a hostel while my husband took care of our children, who were then aged 12 and 15,” said Norhaslina, who attended a KWIM weaving course for additional income.
She said losing her husband to complications from kidney stones in 2024 almost broke her spirit, but she found the strength to rise again when she thought of her two children.
Meanwhile, KWIM president Datuk Normaziah Sheikh Mohamad said the organisation had since its establishment in 2017 provided various forms of assistance to more than 10,000 women, including single mothers, domestic violence survivors, youths, students and the Orang Asli.
“Among the economic empowerment programmes we organise are live-streaming, weaving courses and digital skills training.
“We also provide free legal services to women who are victims of domestic violence.
“To date, we have 13 branches nationwide with more than 20,000 members from various professional backgrounds, including entrepreneurs,” Normaziah added.
