Unconditional love: (From left) Fathi Firjani, Norliza and Fara Nabila in a group shot.
KLANG: It’s said that a mother’s love and strength know no bounds, and 53-year-old Norliza Abd Ghani is a testimony of this.
When her firstborn child was diagnosed with autism two years after her birth, Norliza was devastated.
“I was heartbroken but realised that I have to move on and take care of her as best as possible,” said Norliza who gave birth to the girl in 1990.
She had four other children who were not diagnosed with any disabilities. However, her youngest child was born with Down Syndrome in 2005.
Not one to be dejected or wallow in self-pity, Norliza took it in her stride to care for both her special needs children.
She also adopted another child who is 17 years old now.
“They are my children. As far as my husband and I are concerned, they are God’s gift to us,” said Norliza.
The mother of seven lives in Port Dickson with her retired UTM Skudai lecturer husband Alias Mohd Yusof, 64, and their two girls Fara Nabila, 34, and Fathi Firjani, 19.
Her second daughter died of septicemia at age 28 in 2020 and the rest of her children are living in other locations.
Norliza said she is just like any other mother.
“Both of our girls are with us wherever we go and we also took them with us when we performed the umrah in 2017,” she added.
According to Norliza, she has to be alert at all times as Fara Nabila is prone to meltdowns which can turn violent.
“And when she has meltdowns, Fathi Firjani becomes her target,” said Norliza, adding that Fathi Firjani has limited mobility and is deaf.
So when she notices that Fara Nabila is about to have a meltdown, Norliza and Alias immediately ensure that Fathi Firjani is out of the way.
Both Norliza and Alias, who run a homestay, take their two girls on outings to shopping malls and restaurants regularly.
She said she and Alias keep an eagle’s eye on their girls.
Regardless of her daily challenges, Norliza said she does not see herself any different from other mothers.
“I am just being a mother by loving my children and taking care of them,” she said.
