Palestinian Schoolgirl Defies her Handicap and Completes Her High School Exams Using Her Feet

Inspirational schoolgirl proves that nothing can hold her back from completing her education

Gaza born school girl Aya Masoud refused to let her handicap hold her back and prevent her from completing her final high school exams.

Masoud was born without arms yet says that her disability has not held her back, but has given her motivation to complete her education and strive to fulfill her dreams.This year Aya took her sat her final high school exams in a private hall in a school in Gaza City and, by using her feet to hold her pen, she was able to write her answers unaided.

She says that she feels happy and proud to have completing this stage of her life, finishing her secondary education before entering university.

Aya demonstrates a remarkable determination and capacity for hope, which has aided her throughout her school career even when faced with difficulties. She remembers that she suffered a lot of despair when she first joined the school, she was small and constantly compared herself to her colleagues, feeling embarrassed about how she had to write with her feet in public, however she refused to surrender to her disability.

"I remember when I started my first year of school that I had a lot of trouble because of my situation, but I had the challenge and the courage to move on to the future, which is beginning to come true,"

Yet her ambitions do not end here, she affirms that she plans to pursue her education at university in the near future and will continue to strive for success and excellence.

She particularly aspires to develop her talent for painting, which has been a major contributor to her success in using her feet to overcome her disability since childhood. She says that,using her feet to control the brush, she often paints hopeful pictures depicting the bright morning sun or plants laden with fruit.


The Ministry of Education in the Gaza Strip issued a statement praising Aya, saying that she was "a great example of patience, will and challenge."


As Aya completes this significant stage in her life and looks forward to future, she is more determined to call for greater support and care for the disabled in the Gaza Strip.


Out of a population of around 2 million, there are at least 50,000 disabled people in the Gaza Strip. This shockingly high percentage can be explained by the frequent rounds of violence with Israel and the growing phenomenon of marriage among relatives.