Jasour – News Desk
Mayar Medhat Antar was born with only 70% hearing in one ear, while the other ear had no hearing at all. She realized she was different from her peers and that God had given her a gift born from adversity.
The child remained in this condition until the third grade, but her hearing in the previously better ear began to deteriorate to 20%. By then, she had grown into a young woman studying in college.
The challenge increased, and the suffering intensified. She could no longer hear her own voice. That was when the long-awaited decision, feared due to the “stigma of society,” finally came.
Mayar says, “I used to think that getting a cochlear implant was a stigma. I relied more on lip-reading and the help of those around me. But I underwent cochlear implant surgery in the ear that was losing hearing after the doctor told me I was at risk of losing all my hearing. Finally, I discovered that I was wrong, and the cochlear implant has greatly benefited me.”
Years passed, and Mayar completed her university studies, then obtained a master’s degree in psychological rehabilitation for special needs individuals. It was as if she was proving to herself and those around her that her special needs were never an obstacle in her life. What about able-bodied individuals who have not been tested by God with such challenges?
Mayar is currently preparing to obtain her doctorate and is now working in an international organization providing psychological support to abused women. She also works on projects affiliated with the Canadian Consulate in Egypt.
The organization sees that Mayar has become more aware of the problems faced by special needs individuals through drama. She is their ambassador and biggest supporter, pointing out that there are invisible and unknown disabilities, such as leukemia, a chronic illness considered a disability.
She mentioned that in her work, she dealt with a 31-year-old deaf and mute young man from the countryside and a deaf and mute girl from Alexandria.
She found that the family of the young man with special needs in the countryside did not recognize him and did not take him out of the house. They left him alone and locked the doors on him, increasing his disability and causing him to suffer from schizophrenia and depression. In contrast, the girl’s family took her out into society, and she excelled in using technology.
Mayar adds, “The more drama addresses various disability cases, the more it helps society accept and understand special needs individuals. No one should feel embarrassed if they have a relative with special needs.”
Regarding her personal life, she says, “I am married to a man who is neither deaf nor mute, and he loves me very much. He doesn’t feel that I have any flaws, and he understands my personality. Now, I seek to complete my studies to obtain a doctorate.” In conclusion, Mayar adds, “I hope special needs individuals know their rights and are aware of the services provided to them, such as the special needs card.”
