Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
This interview was conducted in 2020.
I’m not sure of the exact age I went blind, but I’m unable to see for a very long time now. I can still see the world with my left eye, while my right eye only sees light and colours.
When I was about only a year old, my mother passed away due to leukaemia. My father remarried after her death, and he had five other kids. Altogether, I have two siblings and five step siblings. Out of my two siblings, one of my sisters is shortsighted but the other has perfect sight.
How Life Goes On
My father asked my grandmother to take care of me. At that time, he kind of neglected my siblings and I, so my grandmother took us in and cared for us.
I can say that my whole life, I’ve been doing everything by myself; I learned everything by myself. I rarely ask help from other people but when I do ask, it’s not much.When it comes to bullying, it’s mostly teasing from other kids. That would make me upset and angry, but as time went on, I started to get used to that kind of treatment. I started to feel okay with their teasing.
My Ambitions
My ambition is to either be a musician, an athlete and a programmer. For now, I’m trying my best to learn what it takes to realise those three ambitions all by myself. But as a student now, I can say that athleticism shows the most promise.
With music and programming, I will still try to learn as much as I can. Still, if I end up being just an athlete, I’d still be very grateful for it.
What Others Don’t Know…
I think when it comes to things like my ambitions, people may wonder how I’d be able to achieve those dreams. But, with music for instance, I can listen very intently and I’m able to focus on the chords or notes. It just takes effort, and I’m willing to put those in.
Us blind people tend to do things by ourselves. We rarely ask for help.Well, at least, that’s the way I am.
So if I can do this by myself, I’m sure any able-bodied person can too.
Do you know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story.
For more stories like this, read:
The OKU Of Malaysia Are NOT A Burden: Discrimination Against And Misconceptions About Disability
We’re In Poverty & Rely On Government Aid After My Husband Became Blind
Help! Ex-Paralympic Gold Medal Athlete, Mogan Subramaniam, Needs Assistance Getting His Home Back
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