A teenager with a physical disability that has severely stunted her growth, has big ambitions in life despite the challenges.

Shalimar Williams, 19, has suffered from Morquio syndrome since birth. It has caused her to grow to around two feet tall. She underwent her first operation when she was six-months old and has since had numerous surgeries to correct her movement and spinal position.

The disease affects her motor ability, sight, speech and hearing.

Shalimar, a CedarBridge Academy student, graduates in June next year and wants to follow a career in tourism.

Her parents Gary and Shalimar Williams have always pushed for her to attend regular schools. They faced trouble, initially, because many schools did not have the disabled facilities for their students or para-professionals.

Shalimar attended Elliott Primary School, the old Friendship Vale School (a school for special students) and Dellwood Middle School, before attending CedarBridge Academy.

She said: "It was nice to go to a mainstream school and meet students without disabilities, after attending Friendship Vale School.

"I did not feel challenged there, but they had the facilities for disabled students.

"My disability is a physical one, not mental, so it was great to have the opportunity to interact."

When Shalimar went to Dellwood, she became really popular.

She said: "I still had my old chair so everyone wanted to push me around school."

Shalimar has a para-professional, Mrs. Dawn Broadbelt, who helps her out with writing as her disease does not allow her to use a pen or a pencil. But Shalimar is able to work on her computer with no trouble at all.

However Shalimar is well driven which she credits to her parents who had always told her never to give up on her dreams and she promises she never will.

Mr. Williams said: "For other parents who have a child with a disability, do not give up. Keep pushing them, the schools and anyone that can help you."

Shalimar wants to go to a college or a university, which have facilities for her needs and she is looking at schools in Florida and Boston where she has friends.

Mr. Williams said: "My wife found a school and they were charging over $100,000 for her to attend. It is really expensive."

Shalimar said: "If I cannot find a school abroad, then I will attend the Bermuda College and study for the associates degree in hospitality management. I would like to work in either a hotel or at the airport."

Shalimar is the youngest sibling of three, although she is the only one affected by the growth disease. Her brothers have already attended university and are now back on the Island.

She describes her hobbies as reading, computers and shopping. Her favourite books at the moment are the Chicken Soup series.