Setting the bar: Toh hopes to inspire others not to give up on their dreams.
JOHOR BARU: Housewife Toh Ting Jii beat the odds to obtain her Master’s degree – despite having to care for two disabled children and navigate her own disability.
The 39-year-old was determined not to let her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis thwart her dream of achieving excellence in education.
Buoyed by her achievement, Toh is now pursuing a PhD in learning science at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
“Getting a PhD has been my cherished dream since I was young. I want to achieve this despite the immense challenges I face,” she said in an interview.
During the two years she dedicated to her Master’s degree, Toh expressed that it was difficult to manage her studies while caring for her three sons, aged 10, 12, and 15, two of whom have disabilities.
Her first child was diagnosed with mild autism and speech delay, while the second has ADHD.
“I have to manage my time well – managing the kids, doing house chores and working on my assignments during the day. At night, I attend online classes.
“I also do some part-time tutoring, teaching mathematics,” said Toh, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 31.
Toh, who is from Miri, flew to Johor to receive her Master’s in Education (Educational Technology) scroll at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) during its 68th convocation ceremony here recently.
She said the years she spent understanding her condition also helped her realise her dreams.
“After my diagnosis, I began to understand my symptoms better, which helped me slowly boost my confidence.
“I learnt to cope with my own symptoms as well as help my children with theirs,” she said.
Toh expressed her gratitude to her lecturers and husband for their unwavering patience and support, emphasising her desire to inspire others to persist in their pursuit of dreams.
“It is definitely not easy, but it is never too late for anyone to fulfil their dreams,” she added.
