Lucknow girl who cannot see, hear or speak scores 95% in ICSE board exams

Lucknow's Sarah Moin has defied a number of physical disabilities to score an impressive 95% in her ICSE Class 10 exams. Sarah's achievement is extraordinary, considering she is visually impaired, deaf, and speech-impaired.

Sarah was born with vision impairment and gradually lost her hearing after Class 3. Despite these challenges, her determination and thirst for knowledge always propelled her forward.

According to her parents, Julie Hamid and Moin Ahmad Idrisi, Sarah's journey has been filled with struggles but also with divine guidance. They took her for specialised treatment and continued her education at home using Braille.

SUPPORTIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Sarah's potential was recognised by Christ Church College, Lucknow, which offered her admission to a special class led by dedicated teacher Salman Ali Qazi. In this supportive environment, Sarah thrived alongside other differently-abled students.

Her father highlighted the role of Orbit Reader, a unique device that combines a book reader, note-taker, and Braille display, which became Sarah's educational assistant.

Her textbooks were scanned and converted into digital files, allowing her to access them through the Braille keyboard on her laptop.

INNOVATIVE COMMUNICATION

Communication was a significant hurdle, but Sarah and her family overcame it through technology and innovative methods. Sarah used to communicate by drawing words on her family's hands using her fingers.

Her mother, Julie, a teacher herself, patiently revised Sarah's lessons by forming alphabets with her fingers, which Sarah would decipher and assemble into sentences.

Through her hard work, Sarah achieved remarkable scores: 99 in geography, 97 in chemistry, 92 in biology, and 89 in physics.

A BEACON OF INSPIRATION

Sarah’s story is an inspiration to all. It demonstrates that with the right tools, support, and an unwavering spirit, even the most significant disabilities can be overcome.

Her journey highlights the critical role of inclusive education, dedicated teachers, and the transformative power of technology in empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their dreams.

Sarah dreams of pursuing a career in science and developing technology for the visually impaired, reminding us that no obstacle is insurmountable on the path to knowledge.

Her mother, Julie, believes that with continued determination and support, Sarah will achieve even greater heights in the future.