VIDEO: Despite disability, young Kurdish pupil excels in school

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Despite being born without arms, a 6-year-old Kurdish boy, Koshyar Salam, does not let his disability affect his studies and is one of the top pupils in his class.

Koshyar’s disability has not prevented him from going to school and excelling in his studies as he uses his feet to write.

He lives in the town of Piramagroon in the autonomous Kurdistan Region’s Sulaimani province.

Koshyar likes to read and write, but he enjoys physical education the most.

“In Phys Ed., we sometimes fall… play and compete to take the ball from each other [in a football game],” he told Kurdistan 24.

Koshyar’s mother plays a significant role in his life. She takes the first-grader to school every day and stays with him for hours until Koshyar finishes his classes.

Teachers also assist and encourage Koshyar to participate during class and keep him motivated.

“He is very smart and has good relationships with his friends as they help and support him inside and outside of classes,” Jwamer Aziz, one of Koshyar’s teachers, told Kurdistan 24 on Monday.

Once he returns home, his mother sits with him to review and help Koshyar finish his homework, preparing him for the next day.

“At home, I help him complete his school assignments. He needs special care and help as he is sometimes incapable of doing certain things and gets bored or sad,” Koshyar’s mother, Narmin Ali, told Kurdistan 24.

She continues to motivate Koshyar and encourages him despite his disability. Ali says her son is smart and talented.

Koshyar loves playing, but unlike other kids, he has to use his feet to play with toys.

With the help of his mother, Koshyar can do most of the things he wants, but his family members are concerned the absence of his arms could cause him difficulties when he is older.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Reporting by Diyar Jamal)