Flight MH17 Victim’s Daughter Rebuilds Life After Losing Mother In Air Tragedy

Diyana Yazeera, the daughter of Malaysia MH17 victim Dora Shahila Kassim, has shared her journey through grief after losing her mother in the 2014 aircraft tragedy. Twelve years later, Diyana has rebuilt her life and established a career while continuing to remember her mother.

The tragedy came after Dora survived a close connection to another aviation disaster. She had worked as a Malaysia Airlines stewardess for nearly 19 years and was originally scheduled to be on MH370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014. A last-minute roster change kept her away from that flight.

MH17 Tragedy Changed Her Life

On July 17, 2014, Dora, who was the chief stewardess on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, was among 298 people killed when the aircraft was shot down over eastern Ukraine while travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Diyana was 15 years old when she received news of her mother’s death while staying at a boarding school in Seremban. She said she struggled to accept the tragedy because she had spoken to her mother just days earlier and expected Dora to pick her up after the flight.

After losing her mother, Diyana moved between relatives’ homes and found it difficult to continue her studies. She said she neglected her education during her teenage years as she struggled with grief.

Finding Strength Through Education

Despite her difficulties, Diyana was able to gradually get better and improve her schoolwork. She became one of the top 10 students in her foundation programme and later received a scholarship to study law in the United Kingdom.

Diyana eventually became an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya. She now works as a legal executive at a security technology company. She said she hoped her mother would be proud of her achievements.

Remembering MH17 Victims

Diyana continues to carry memories of her mother in everyday moments. She recalled becoming emotional when a colleague offered her mangosteen, a fruit her mother used to bring home.

She also keeps in touch with other MH17 victims’ families after meeting them during commemorations in Amsterdam. Diyana said the connections helped her understand that many families shared similar experiences of loss.

Diyana hopes that the victims of MH17 will continue to be remembered. She also hopes the families affected by the tragedy will eventually receive the closure they have been seeking.

Watch the post here: