PANDEMIC IS NOT A CHALLENGE FOR YOUTH DIAGNOSED WITH GDD

26-year-old Afiq was diagnosed with Global Development Delay (GDD), but it would not stop him from living his life to the fullest pictured here in his travels.

Source: (Nur Nadhrah / Berita DIMENSi)

PENANG: A 26-year-old youth diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) has undergone massive changes since the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was announced on 18 March 2020.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it even more difficult for people with disabilities (PwD) to have stable employment, not to mention the typical hurdles of workplace limits and public acceptance, particularly among employers.

Muhammad Afiq Azli, 26, was diagnosed with GDD when he was only six years old. With his diagnosis, he is considered to have significantly lower intellectual function compared to his peers.

GDD can affect a child's capacity to comprehend and absorb knowledge, solve problems, perceive social cues and social awareness, respond appropriately to others, and many more.

“It was actually his kindergarten teachers who raised a concern towards his behaviour and from there, we started seeing specialists to confirm his diagnosis,” said Nordiana Ali, Afiq's mother.

Despite his disabilities, Afiq managed to graduate from Suria College of Hospitality Johor Campus in Food and Beverage Service Operations back in January 2017.

Proving doubters wrong, Afiq at his college where he studied and graduated in Food and Beverage Service Operations.

Source: (Nur Nadhrah / Berita DIMENSi)

With that diploma, he was employed by McDonald’s Perai Branch, where he mostly works behind the grill. He expresses how long it took him to adjust to the new environment in terms of working with other people and receiving orders.

“Before the pandemic hit, I got to do the things I love, such as travelling to destress after working long hours but since the pandemic happened, I have no other source to rely on to destress,” said Afiq during the interview.

Afiq was granted leave without pay by his employer during the pandemic due to financial restraint which took a toll on him to spend all day at home doing nothing.

“One thing about my illness is that it is difficult for me to stay put and do nothing, so when the pandemic hits, I become lost,” said Afiq.

As Malaysia shifted from the pandemic to endemic phase of COVID-19, Afiq was reassigned back to his job albeit with a two-day work interval per week due to workplace infection control measures.

“It is difficult even when I am back at work because of all the new and ever so changing standard operating procedures (SOP).

“Even though I am back at work but the adjustment is a lot, for example, I used to work normal shifts because of my short time span in focusing, now they have me working 12-hour shifts almost every day,” said Afiq.

Despite having to face obstacles, not just being a person with disabilities; the pandemic has worsened his normal lifestyle, Afiq looks forward to new experiences in his journey which can add colours to his life.

Afiq radiates positive energy in his surroundings, and he feels extremely grateful for the support and love that he has received. He believes that he is able to stand firm today due to the support that he gets from family members and friends.

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