My Life Story

I have  been  visually impaired since birth. During my mother’s first trimester of pregnancy with me, she contracted German measles. This is the major cause of my vision impairment. Aside from being visually impaired, I was born hearing impaired. I have one older brother who, thanks to God, has no impairment. He is already married and has one son.

My life is like a book filled with different stories. When I was a month old, my parents noticed that something white covered my eyeballs so I was brought to an ophthalmologist. Some doctors told my parents that I would not be able to see anymore. But there was  one doctor who said that I would be able to see because I only had cataract. I had to undergo a surgical treatment as soon as possible. That eye operation was not so successful, however because apart from cataract,  it was discovered that I had glaucoma. My left eye had become totally blind. Not only  I operated once, by thrice. Another condition I had was the presence of a hole in my heart. In that case, the doctors advised my parents to have me undertake a heart surgery.

When I was in Grade III, my doctor told my parents that my left eye needed to removed and replaced with an artificial eye because of a swelling that occurred. Through God’s goodness, I was given the chance to study in a regular school, at Pedro Tuazon Elementary School. I was the only visually impaired pupil in class. During that time no Special Education (SPED) program yet offered at the school I was enrolled. It was my wish to study in a private school, but unfortunately, none of the schools I tried to enroll at accepted me merely because of my disabilities. My family refused that I enroll in a SPED school because they did not know that I could be considered differently-abled at the time. During my elementary years, my classmates teased me because of my condition. It was so hurtful to me, but I learned to take it as a part of the challenge of a person with disability learners.

My desire to learn in a private school was granted when I was in first year. St. Joseph College was the sole school that accepted me. But because of the absence of a SPED program, I had very hard time coping with all my schoolwork. As a result, I failed and had to retake most of my subjects in first year. When I was about to enroll as a freshman student for the second time, a principal from P. Bernardo High School recommended that I enroll at Quirino High School, an education institution that offers SPE program. I heeded the advice, but it was  only in my second year when I availed of such program. My SPED teacher explained to me and to my parents that I was to be regarded as a visually Impaired and hearing impaired in spite of the fact that I was only partially blind and partially deaf. Some of my classmate in SPED opened my eyes to the fascinating world of the differently abled.

They also introduce me to Resources for the Blind, Inc. they taught me how to write in Braille. Sometimes I feel envious of the people who have no disability, especially of people who can read regular print from any distance. I always felt shy every time I would go to public places. I could not read fast because when I read, I always to put the book very close to my one eye. If I would not do that I could not read the text. Nonetheless, my SPED teachers and classmates served as my family where I felt a deep sense of belongingness. They were my sources of encouragement, inspiration and enlightenment particularly at times when I was feeling low. Through them I realized that God made me ro be what I am for a great purpose. I came to understand that differently abled like me can live like anybody else in spite of our impairment. With God’s gracipu help, I was able to graduate from high school in 2007.

My life’s ambition has always been to become a SPED teacher who would help address the need of the differently-abled especially of visually impaired students like me. I believe that so many blind people out there are deprived of the privilege to go to school, and it is them whom I would like to impart my knowledge, abilities, experiences and love to. But because of my family financial status, I was not able to push through my college education.

I maybe confronted with so many obstacles as I journey through life, but I choose to trust in God’s goodness and greatness. Even in times  when I feel like I am in total darkness, I will be still in His light with him shining in my life, I affirm that in His perfect time, the best will come into my life no matter what other people may say. It may not be exactly what I want, but I know that God’s will is always for the best.