Getting Inspiration from My Fellow Blind

 Ms. Louise May Fami was the 2nd among 3 siblings, she was born blind but despite her impairment, she was able to finish her studies. She graduated from Philippine Women's University with a degree in Music. Her mother was very supportive of her. From elementary through college, Mrs. Fami patiently served as May's guide. May's former job was teaching music in a rehabilitation center for the blind. Currently, she works in a restaurant as a receptionist at Noche- dine in the dark.

I admire her because she is very intelligent. she has a great determination, and her personality is very strong in spite of her disability. I salute her mother because of the great love and support for her daughter. For Ms. May, disability is not a hindrance to achieve success and live a normal life.

Love without limits

Note: all the names mentioned are not the real names of the persons featured in this article.

 Last week, as I was searching for certain people on Facebook, I came across three mothers of children with cerebral palsy and visual impairment. i sent them friend requests and private messages. To my delight, 1 of them accepted my request immediately. we soon became friends. I told her that i was going 2 visit Resources for the Blind, Inc., where her child was enrolled. i asked her if i could meet her and her son, and she said yes.

The following week, I had to go to RBI again. I was so happy because I got to meet not only my new friend but also the two other mothers whom I added on Facebook. I sat down and listened to their stories. I was so inspired and touched. One of the mothers, who resides in Cavite, would wake early every day and would travel to Quezon City with her child to attend classes. All of them hail far from RBI. 

 William, who is totally blind and has cerebral palsy, lives in Antipolo. Diana is from Cavite and has the same condition as William. Henry, from Malabon, has low vision and cerebral palsy. All three of them are unable to walk and talk. They undergo physical therapy to promote and facilitate mobility.

I am in awe of the three mothers whose unconditional love enables them to believe in their children, to be the best moms they can be, and to bring out the best in their little ones. According to them, their children are blessings from God, and they deserve nothing but to live life to the fullest. They believe that every child with disability has the right to learn, thus, they are willing to do whatever it takes for their children to be responsive, to enjoy life, and to achieve the greatest level of independence possible. Taking care of children with visual impairment and other disabilities is no easy feat, yet these mothers lovingly do their best to ensure that their children receive the education they need and deserve.

The Return of Superman Korean Variety Show

I have no favorite actor and actress both here in the Philippines and in foreign countries, but I love watching television and films. I have a lot of favorite movies and shows. One of them is the Korean variety show The Return of Superman. This is a reality show about celebrity Dads and their real-life children. Celebrity dads are left to care for their kids alone for 48 hours without the help of anyone, while their wives leave the home to enjoy relaxation time. The wives are shown leaving the home before the 48 hours begins and coming back to greet their family once the 48 hours have ended. During the 48 hours, the dads and children are either doing a task the wives have written out for the dads to complete, or the dads are exploring new activities with their kids. Occasionally, celebrity friends of the dads will stop by to interact with the kids.

Superman Return aired on KBS Channel in Korea. You can watch it in youtube and KShowOnline.com

The kids are fun to watch, not to mention their cuteness and wit. There is so much to be learned from the show by one who intently watches. How a father takes care of his child while the mother is away, the impact of parents’ upbringing of their children on the way children cope with change, and the effect of teaching good manners to children are just a few of the essentials in store for viewers. This show is not only about entertaining viewers but also educating them, specially the parents.

Inspiring Blind

Miss Minnie Aveline P. Juan 30 years old second in four children of Dr. Angelo Juan and Dr. Maria LiliaJuan, Ms. Minnie was blind since birth. But her blindness did not stop her to achieve triumph.

She finish her Elementary and High School with honors and graduate magna cum laude in College at Trinity College now Trinity University of Asia with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in English and Suma cum laude at Virgen Milagrosa University with the degree of Bachelor of Elementary Education major Special Education. She is now teaching her fellow visually impaired in Vergen Milagrosa University in Pangasinan. 

Nakaka inspire sya dahil sa kabila nang kanyang kapansanan sa paningin ay naging matatag sya hindi nya ginawang hadlang ang kapansanan upang mag tagumpay at ma overcome ang mga trials sa buhay. I hope that her inspiring story will be an instrument to reduce discrimination towards persons with disability. If opportunities will open, disabled people can prove that they are able and be successful too like Ms. Minnie

Love is for everyone

This photo shows the child and her parents. 

I used to think that adoption of children with disabilities happens in other countries but the Philippines. My perception took a 180-degree turn when I met the Venida family who lovingly decided to adopt a child born with blindness and Cerebral Palsy. I salute this  family for  having painstakingly gone through the long, tedious, and costly process of adoption, all because of love for their child. I was touched when I heard their story about why an angel’s adoption came to be. More than touched, I was blessed.

We can learn from there story that love can be freely given to anyone, even to those who may not be of our own flesh and blood. Even more inspiring about this selfless family is that they, more than providing for the child’s basic needs, support her in everything she needs and wants to do. They do there best to help her know and improve her skills and talents. Best of all, They give her unconditional love which she needs the most.

In this photo is the child and me

I hope and pray that there are more homes like the one this child is so blessed to belong in—a heavenly  abode that willingly opened its doors to those whom the world abandoned and neglected, those who could not be rendered support by their own families for whatever reason. Each child, whether with or without disability, has every right to live, to receive education, and to be loved.

You can read the story of the child written by her Mother by clicking on this link.

 http://idontwant2retire.blogspot.com/2008/05/special-childs-rights.html 

Why I Want to be a Blogger

I neither consider myself good at writing nor like to write essays, stories or poems. But I like sharing my ideas, skills, knowledge and advocate for the rights of my fellow persons with disabilities (PWD's). That is the reason why I wrote whatever came to my mind. I may not be a born writer, but I hope that with my written expression of myself, even a single soul may be inspired.

In February of this year, I went to Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) to purchase a magnifier. When my cousin and I were waiting for the staff member in charge of low vision gadgets, we sat near the area where classes were being taught to children who are blind and visually impaired. Then a teacher, together with one of her students, passed by in front of us. My attention was instantly caught by the child's charm and innocence.

A week after the event, I accidentally came across the blog of a mother whose daughter happened to be the same child I saw at RBI. Since then, I have been reading the blogger's inspirational posts about Lyca, her beloved child.

, last July 4, my friend attended the general assembly of an organization called Parent Advocates of Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC). One of the talks was delivered by Lyca's mother. Remembering the stories I told her about Lyca and her mom, this friend of mine paved the way for us to be introduced online. When Lyca's mother read one of my facebook notes, she told my friend that I, too, should create my own blog. My friend mentioned to her my desire to do so. I summoned enough courage to ask whether this blogger could teach me. To my delight, Lyca's mom said "Yes."

I am not in any way a good writer, but I wish for my thoughts to be shared. I am but one of the many persons with disabilities in the Philippines whose small voice wants to be heard. Through the encouragement and motivation of Lyca and her mom, I decided to keep on writing. Both of them are God’s blessings to me.

Every Day Is A Blessing

One very ordinary day, when I was at the brink of giving up on life, a friend of mine who is a counselor at the non-profit organization, Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI), encouraged me to read the Singers of Zion. She lent me this book to be inspired, believing that I could relate well to the story’s lead character. The Singers of Zion has two parts. The first is about Fanny  Crosby, a blind poetess, while the second is about Frances R. Harvegal. My attention was captured and held by Fanny Crosby. She inspired me and continues to do so in many ways.

Fanny Crosby (March 24, 1820-Febuary 12, 1915) was born without any impairment. When she was six months old, however, she caught colds and developed inflammation of the eyes. Because no physician was available, her family sought the aid of another country doctor. This doctor, unfortunately, was not qualified to practice medicine. This unqualified doctor prescribed a hot mustard plaster as a treatment. Because of this, Fanny became blind. This could have been a waterloo of her life, yet despite her condition, she never pitied herself. Instead, she became more driven to lead a normal life. At an early age, her grandmother taught her about God and the Holy Bible. When she was eight years old, she started creating poems. One of her poems caught my attention.

"Oh, what a happy soul I am!

Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many Blessings I enjoy,

That other people don't!

To weep and sigh because I’m blind,

I cannot and I won't."

So many times, we are not content with what we have. Instead of looking at our blessings, we tend to look at our failures, weaknesses and what we have lost or do not have. Fanny’s poem simply tells us that in spite of our imperfections or limitations, there is always something we are to thank the Lord for. Fanny’s book made me realize that I don't need to envy people who are not disabled because God has enabled me, in spite of my condition, to do many things. I could still groom, feed, and travel all by myself while other disabled people could not. These are blessings I praise and thank God for. I may be performing my tasks in different ways than the non-disabled, what counts is that my impairments do not render me incapable of doing anything. I am blessed that though partly blind and partly deaf, I am differently abled.

While reading the story of Fanny, many lessons flashed in my mind that I decided to jot them down on my secret notebook. Looking back on my personal experiences, I sometimes lost hope and faith and I would easily give up when I encountered problems which were seemingly unbearable and impossible to solve. I would fear a lot especially when things did not go the way I expected or planned. In time, I learned that I need to fight and pray, and to constantly ask the Lord to guide and give me strength in order to survive, to reach my full potential, and to live life to the fullest. He is the only source of light that directs me to the right path. His is the sweet and still voice which always reminds me of how much I am loved, accepted, understood, and valued for who I really am and what I have become. A positive outlook in life fueled by love for and faith in the almighty are Fanny Crosby’s secrets to living a joyful life despite its challenges and difficulties. With God’s help, she chose and was able to remain strong and willing to fight.

Fanny Crosby was married to Alexander Van Alstyne. They were blessed with a baby girl who suddenly died during infancy. Despite the tragedy, Fanny remained strong. In memory of her daughter, she wrote the poem entitled “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”

We all need to be strong and to take courage when faced with life’s trials and tribulations. Let us allow God to guide us and help us conquer every obstacle with His strength rather than merely relying on our own.  Let us always remember that we are made for a purpose to fulfill in this world, and that God has a good plan for our lives which, though we  may not know yet, are surely what is best for us. In spite of all the hardships we may be confronted with, there is always a reason behind those trying times. They are not meant to hurt us or to punish us but to teach us lifetime lessons which are intended to make us better, not bitter.

All people, though replete with differences, are still the same. Each of us is created by God in an amazingly unique way, making us equal in His eyes. Since we are uniquely endowed with His blessings, there is every reason for us to be content in life. When you feel low and insignificant, that you don’t seem to be as blessed as other people are, think again. You are unique. You are special. You are eternally loved by the perfect One who created you. Think of persons with disabilities like me. I may lack the ability to see and hear, but I regard my impairments as blessings because I believe that the Lord is able to use them for good not only in my life but in the lives of other people as well—individuals whom He has assigned to inspire through me and to be ministered by me. As Fanny Crosby puts it, “IF I HAD A CHOICE, I WOULD STILL CHOOSE TO REMAIN BLIND ... FOR WHEN I WILL DIE, THE FIRST FACE I WILL EVER SEE WILL BE THE FACE OF MY BLESSED SAVIOUR.”

From Fanny Crosby’s optimistic perspective on life, I learn that I need to be content in my visual and hearing impairments because god has a purpose for me and I have a mission that God gave me to me to accomplish. Fanny had every reason to lament life, but she always found reasons to celebrate it. This, I too must do for the glory of the Lord. Like her, may we all not look at the things we don’t have. Instead, may we focus on, appreciate, use, treasure, and thank God for what we already have.

I will always thank the Lord for that very ordinary day. Through my counselor, I was able to have access to the piece of art that ultimately changed my life. With an extraordinary God to back me up, my life will always be special.