Abdulkerim Ljevakovic (24) is one of the few and very successful students with hearing loss who do not give up on their goals. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, followed by a master’s degree. Despite not having an assistant-translator, Abdulkerim won Silver Badge at the University of Sarajevo as one of the most successful students. He finished his primary education at the Center for Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation Sarajevo where he discovered his talent and love for art and fine arts.
Quiet and calm young man, full of enthusiasm and faith in success cannot take smile off his face. There is also his mother Merjema as his biggest support. She followed him, like his father and two older brothers, on each of his ways to success, and there were many. The success is his trademark.
“I finished the High School of Applied Arts in Sarajevo. At the beginning it was very difficult, but I learned a lot so it became easier over time. It was hard, because I was the only person with hearing impairment among normal hearing students,” said Abdulkerim on sign language while mother Mejrema translates.
“I was writing the exams on faculty. They were mostly written examinations, however, if there would be some oral exams, I would take them as well. I communicated with my professors in written form, and there was no problem. Most professors did not consider this type of communication as problem,” explained Abdulkerim.
The biggest problem of people with hearing impairment is communication. That is why he had the support of his mother Mejrema during some lectures, who attended lectures together with him and wrote down what professor says, and Abdulkerim was reading from his laptop.
Despite all the difficulties, he managed to be among the best students on the faculty and the postgraduate studies.
“I feel proud about it. However, more important to me is that I learned a lot. I achieved my goal. I dreamed to finish my studies as a boy, and I managed to realize that. Now I have entered another master program, and I chose the industrial design,” said Abdulkerim.
“He traveled around Europe and got to know students with the same difficulties. When he saw that they have assistants as a support, he realized that it is not a shame that someone goes with him and translates his lectures. He took me to go with him although it is not popular that moms go with their sons to college,” explained Mejrema.
“In order for a person with hearing impairment to be successful, he or she must have a lot of support from their environment. Abdulkerim was fortunate to have two older brothers, and we as parents gave our tireless support and we’re always adapting to his communication. He had all the information available. Other children would be successful too, but the only problem is the environment, how many parents are willing to adapt their obligations, reduce their commitments, in order to devote themselves more to their children. The key is the family,” concluded Mejrema.
(Source: faktor.ba)
