Mochamad Nur Ramadhani's physical limitations never hindered him from pursuing his dream of attaining higher education and becoming a dentist. Known affectionately as Dhani, he is a person with physical disabilities who uses a prosthetic leg or prosthesis in his daily life.
Dhani lost his right leg during adolescence, a time when he should have been engaging in various activities like any other teenager. Instead of succumbing to despair, Dhani proved that he could continue living a remarkable life and pursuing a successful career.
This father of one holds a Bachelor's degree in Dentistry and earned a master's degree from Humboldt University in Berlin. This is the journey of a differently-abled doctor who received a scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP).
Bone Cancer and Leg Amputation
Dhani spent his childhood in Germany accompanying his father, and he enjoyed playing football during his time there. However, something unexpected and unwanted occurred when Dhani returned to Indonesia at the age of 14. He was diagnosed with bone cancer above his right knee, which rapidly spread to his leg.
Dhani couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of the cancer's appearance in his body. He speculated that frequent physical activity, different climates, or genetic mutations might have triggered the bone cancer.
The only way to prevent the cancer from spreading further was by amputating his leg. It was a daunting decision that took about six months for Dhani to process, but he ultimately chose amputation.
"In amputating, activities may become limited. But I believe that saving a life, this leg can be replaced, unlike trying to preserve one leg, which might not even survive. So, I decided to amputate," he expressed.
In 2008, Dhani bid farewell to his right leg, sacrificing from the upper thigh to the foot to stop the progression of the malignancy. Chemotherapy followed to ensure the complete eradication of cancerous cells from Dhani's body.
New Life as a Person with Disabilities
Post-amputation, Dhani's body was still very weak due to the effects of the cancer. He was frail, unable to stand without a wheelchair.
His parents stood by him during these challenging times. As Dhani's body gradually regained strength and vitality, he began learning to walk using a prosthetic leg.
Adapting to a new life was not easy for a teenage Dhani with disabilities; it was a test of both physical and mental strength.
"At the age of 14, there was certainly a sense of inferiority. Personally, initially, I wasn't ready, but life must go on, and this is a test that will make me stronger," said the eldest of four siblings.
During the amputation process and recovery in 2008, Dhani had to skip the National Examination at Junior High School. He decided to repeat ninth grade to ensure he could take the examination properly.
His days with this new life continued extraordinarily. His academic excellence emerged in high school, where he achieved the highest grades and qualified for the National Selection for State Universities (SNMPTN) through an invitation route. However, when applying for general medicine through this invitation, he did not succeed.
Many universities stipulated that their students should not have any disabilities. Eventually, he found a match with Padjadjaran University, which did not consider physical disabilities as a barrier to pursuing a dentistry education.
Before starting his studies, Dhani had a meeting with the dean, who informed him that completing medical studies with a disability would not be easy. Some senior students with disabilities, like him, who used wheelchairs, had given up. This propelled Dhani to reassure the university that his capabilities were not to be doubted.
Dhani, walking with a cane, successfully completed his studies and earned a dentist specialist degree in 2018. He then worked at a dental clinic and a community health center in Gorontalo, North Sulawesi. It was during this period that Dhani started using a prosthetic leg to facilitate his activities.
LPDP Fulfilling the Dream to Return to Germany
Living in Germany for seven years during his childhood left a lasting impression on Dhani. His desire to return to Germany surfaced when the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) from the Ministry of Finance provided opportunities for people with disabilities. Dhani targeted Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, and enrolled in International Health.
"At first, my campus was not on the LPDP list for Germany, but since I applied through the affirmative route, and the name Humboldt University was on the list, I applied there," Dhani explained. Through the LPDP affirmative route, Dhani's path opened to pursue his dream of returning to Germany. "The process was made very accessible by LPDP in terms of physical accessibility," he added.
In short, Dhani received an LPDP scholarship and began studying in Germany in 2020, eventually obtaining a Master of Science in International Health two years later. Returning to Indonesia, Dhani's career followed in his father's footsteps, serving the state. Until now, Dhani has been working at the Directorate General of Health Resources at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.
Dhani's journey can serve as an inspirational example and motivation, especially for people with disabilities. It illustrates that physical limitations do not always constrain the spirit and aspirations for a better future.
"My message to fellow individuals with disabilities across Indonesia, whether adults or children, is that there are many opportunities in the world for us to excel, worship, contribute, create, and make our families and nation proud," expressed this LPDP scholarship recipient from the PK-147 generation.
The state, through LPDP, is present to realize these significant dreams by providing affirmative scholarships for people with disabilities. Dhani's spirited determination not only inspires fellow disabled individuals but also opens the door of hope for anyone who might have felt restricted by anything.
Dhani's inspiring story is also featured on LPDP's YouTube channel in the segment LESSON.