‘Rising star’ award winner shines above bullying and disability
DOMINIC SMITHERS
AYOUNG woman has beaten the bullies after she was chosen to receive a prestigious royal award.
Hashmina Rahman, 21, from Accrington, has been named the North West Rising Star by The Prince’s Trust.
The award recognises young people who have succeeded against the odds and made a difference to their local community.
Hashmina, who suffers from a rare skin disorder, was targeted by bullies.
She said: “I have a rare tissue disorder and rods in my spine which can be painful and limit my mobility. I also have obstructive sleep apnoea, which means I rely on a breathing machine at night. That – and my race – made me an easy target for bullies. Those years of my life were just awful. People saw my disability, not my potential. So I never had many friends and no-one seemed inclined to employ me, despite my graphic design qualification.”
However, when a friend suggested she join Fairbridge, a group run by The Prince’s Trust, she began to turn things around.
Hashmina said: “I knew I would struggle because it was activity based, but I didn’t want my disability to dictate what I could and couldn’t do anymore. I wanted to find ways to work around it – and the people at Fairbridge showed me how. Life is like a ladder – you have got to work your way from the bottom to the top. You can’t be afraid to fall, because you can always climb up again. So after Fairbridge, I went on the Team programme, which was even more challenging and inspiring.”
Team, another group organised by The Prince’s Trust, gives unemployed, young people new skills.
Hasmina said: “I left with a qualification, new friends and a job at a T-shirt printing company where I’m now an apprentice. I left with a qualification, new friends and a job at a T-shirt printing company where I’m now an apprentice.
“I can’t express how much happier I am following my time with The Prince’s Trust. I’m married and, one day, I hope to use my qualification in tourism to become an Immi- gration Officer at Manchester Airport.”
Becoming an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, Hashmina, who enjoys swimming and reading in her spare time, now helps young people just like her build their confidence.
Hashmina was due to collect her award at the North West awards which take place at the National Football Museum in Manchester on Thursday.