MALAPPURAM: Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Vengara Cheroor native Saifunnisa stands 'on her own feet'. Saifunnisa, who was paralyzed by polio when she was just three months old, can move only her left arm. 38-year-old Saifunnisa is now running an online service centre called Fingerprint in Vengara. She can handle DTP, e-banking services, lamination, and photostat with one hand.

Saifunnisa, the elder daughter of Kunji Muhammad and Rukiya, did not go to school. She used to sit in her wheelchair on the veranda and cry upon seeing other children go to school. It was her uncle Kunjavaran who taught her to read and write. When she was eight years old, a nearby teacher came to her home and started teaching her. Although she joined the Education Development Center under Vengara Block Panchayat at the age of 26, she discontinued it later due to difficulties in travelling. She passed the Class 4 equivalency examination at the age of 27. She then went on to pass Class 7, 10 and Plus Two equivalency exams. Saifunnisa got a laptop as a gift when she got the second rank in the Class 10 exam. With that, she became interested in learning about computers.

Saifunnisa studied Computer at Parappanangady Peace Foundation and DTP from Pulikkal Ability Foundation for the Disabled. She also got training in hand embroidery and jewellery making from Puthupparamb Polytechnic. She also learnt graphic design. Her establishment Fingerprint is the result of her desire to work independently without being confined to the house. Her father Kunji Muhammad built a one-room building for his daughter next to the house. Saifunnisa opens the establishment at 8.30 am and closes at 5 pm. She works by sitting in a wheelchair. She earns at least Rs 10,000 every month. Fatigue no longer affects Saifunnisa. Her wish is to support her elderly parents. She has received the Best Self-Entrepreneur Award from the Ability Foundation Disabled.