I am Gulendam, and this is my story.

Every child is born unique. With nature-given abilities and beauty, they are all diverse. My diversity is my beautiful voice. I recite poems and read books in turkmen. My friends and teachers are impressed by my tone and emotion I put into.

I’m a first-year student of Balkanabat 2nd Primary Vocational School in Balkan Province majoring Library Archive. I retell assignments by heart while other students read from their notebook. A teacher commented: “When you start retelling, I feel like I am listening an interesting article on radio. Your voice is so attractive! If only the voice could be seen, I would stare at it for hours!” 

I’m really proud that my voice matters for someone or the whole society. Although I graduated high school two years ago, my best friend Ayzada is always beside me. We used to sit together at one desk, would stroll in parks and visit theatre together. She listens my poem recitations with joy and fairly comments her thoughts on how to better it. Her mother is as lovely as herself, we often come each other’s home and have tea together. Her mom bakes delicious cakes and cookies, especially I love chocolate one!

As long as I know myself, I am social and active person. Among my classmates, teachers would choose me to host national celebrations. As a school girl, Balkanabat City Children and Youth Creativity House would offer me to become host for new year party and 8th of March - International Women’s day event.

I was born on 1st of March, first day of spring, same day when famous poet Gurbannazar Eziziov was born. That is one of the reasons I love his poetry. When people ask what my favorite book is, I immediately imagine my favorite poems. I read them every day, when I am sad and happy. I celebrate my birthday with my friends and aunts sometimes at home and cafes. 

My lifetime role model is my mother. Apart considering from birth she took care of me, she taught how to stand out emotional challenges in life. Rather than drawing my lifepath, she gave me a pencil and taught me how to use it. She writes poems. Recently, she wrote a beautiful piece dedicated to 140th anniversary of Ashgabat and I recited it with pride.

I had two favorite teachers at school. Ms. Tylla and Ms. Mahym, they had common attitude which I adored very much. They treated everyone equally, no matter of our gender, physical capabilities, and social classes. They smiled at me, respected me, answered my questions patiently. I was home schooled for half term, when their day of lessons come, I looked forward to see them more than anyone. I would offer them tea and spend good time together. They made me feel like I am special.

After graduating my current college, I wish to study at Institute of Culture majoring Program Hosting. I would like to dive deep inside on ethics and techniques of voice control, recitation, and get to know artists, famous actors and actresses. As my mother tells, my disability shouldn’t stop me accomplishing dreams into reality. It must give me strength and strive to successful life.

Gulendam Rahymova    /     Diagnose: Cerebral palsy (infantile cerebral palsy)