She was never seen to grow up ordinarily and was not even presumed to live normally.
21-year-old Krizzia Camile ‘‘KC’’ Nacor had turned everybody’s doubt into applause when she got her Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Information Technology from a well-known University in the Philippines in 2019. Her physical condition has not led her into discouragement; she used it to prove herself, to tell the world that being differently abled does not always mean incapacity. KC is a living evidence that life is not a matter of chances, but a matter of choices.
I was one of the luckiest people to see her in a black toga. I did not realize everything at first, I was merely amazed watching her family and friends happily surrounding her. On my mind runs the thought, this lady has that outpouring inspiration which is more than enough to triumphantly finish this race. Her smile says that she is just getting started.
Eva Nacor, KC’s mother could clearly story tell their life’s scenario since she gave birth to their precious child. It was an extra mile of patience to survive everyone’s hurtful opinions. Remaining optimistic and choosing to be a good person as response to the world’s unending judgement has been the most challenging for Eva.
“Noong high school s’ya graduating, ‘nung nabili ako sa tindahan ng ulam, meron doon dalawang nag-ku-kwentuhan, sabi e ano daw may napasok daw pala doon na abnormal, ayon edi syempre rinig ko, naririnig ko pero hindi ako naimik pinababayaan ko lang sila.” (“When she’s in the final year in high school, I was in a store where there were two people talking about someone who is ‘abnormal’. I heard them chatting that there is an abnormal student who goes in a school, but I did not mind them.”)
KC’s condition was not diagnosed by a Doctor. Yet her physical appearance is likely similar with people with a not-so-familiar genetic bone disorder called “Osteogenesis Imperfecta” which means imperfect bone formation. In a study in the United States, it might affect one in every ten to twenty thousand live births. People with this condition have the tendency of bone fracture. KC was once life threatened by this when she was just five years old.
“Tinaningan sya ng doktor na hanggang 7 years old lang sya, e syempre masama sa loob ko na hanggang ganun lang, kasi ano lang sya e, bali 5 years old yata s’ya noong nabalian.” (The Doctor said that she could only live until seven. Of course, it was painful for me because she was only five back then.”)
KC at her young age instilled to always see things positively. Though at times, she can’t help but ask why she’s different among all children of her age. She pities herself. However, trained to look at the silver lining, on the things that she can.
“Ba’t hindi ako katulad nila hindi ako nakakapaglaro nakakalungkot din pero tanggap ko na. Kaya ginalingan ko po yung pag-aaral ko, gusto ko po kasing ipakita na kahit ganto ako, makakatapos ako, may mararating ako sa buhay.” (“Why am I different? Why can’t I play with them? It’s said but I learned to accept it. So, I decided to excel in my studies. I wanted to prove that even if I am much smaller than the average people, I can finish my studies and I can have a good life.”)
KC studied in a normal school: from kinder, primary, secondary up to her collegiate. And through those years, her mother ‘s hand never gets exhausted.
“Parang hindi ko na nararamdam yung hirap basta alam ko araw-araw pag gising ko, ihahatid ko, sa hapon susunduin.”(I can’t feel any hardship as long as I know that I get up every day to bring her to school and now, to office and fetch her in the afternoon.”)
It was not a smooth road towards KC’s dream. In several times, they were challenged by bad weather condition. Her wheelchair could not pass through some flood areas going to school. In approximately 15 years of studying, Eva carries her daughter up to her seat and fetch her again as the classes is done.
But it was finally paid-off. KC has never wasted a single sacrifice for her. What she dreamed before is what she is earning today.
“May gusto akong patunayan sa buhay ko na hindi porket ganito lang ang itsura ko, ganto yung katawan ko na wala na’kong magagawa.” (“I wanted to show that even if I look like this, even if my body is like this, I can have a successful life just like other people.”)
At the end of the day, KC has not just accomplished her dream. Above all, she gained everyone’s respect. Her life even at the beginning has plentiful of unfortunate circumstances, but she and her family leaned on the beauty of it. They planted a good seed to KC’s heart, they filled her with love and gifted a full acceptance. KC is now part of the working force. She is a local government employee in their town. The person who was way back then judged had shown her guts.
Last August 2019, I spoke with KC. I asked, now that she’s working, what else is her dream. “To travel, to fly, to ride in an airplane with her mother”, she said. I assured my mind that she will do it because what she has today is indeed incomparable. I know she can, she can fly because she is able.
Watch KC’s journey on Eroplano (Airplane).
Written by Ricca Joice Adrada
