By Hivi Baker | AFS Volunteer
We usually tend to think that people living with low vision or blindness must walk through the world with care and trepidation. We think they must be extra careful because they wouldn’t know what obstacle they might suddenly bump into or it must be difficult to judge how far one place to another is.
Well… Let me tell you about Wen.
Wen joined the DBMH program in 2017. He was diagnosed with Retinal Detachment on both eyes and ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Due to his Retinal Detachment, his hyper activeness is greatly reinforced. He has difficulties with concentration and focus. In addition, he suffers seizures from Epilepsy. This forced him to leave formal schooling at age 12.
Amazingly he is able to communicate in three languages – that is English, Bahasa Malaysia and Hokkien, a local dialect! He’s extremely independent and even likes to lend a hand to his friends in their daily life. He takes on “jobs” such as guiding his friends into the classroom or helping to pack his friends bags and water bottles.
He loves to sing and knows almost all the lyrics of the songs he likes. His all-time favourite music artist is Charlie Puth - and his favourite song is “Attention”… If you ask me this matches his personality almost perfectly.
One thing can be said about Wen… He definitely has a talent for music. Wherever he has the chance to grab a guitar or play on the piano – he grasps it!
He loves to jumps, run (mostly running away from you…) and laugh. He’s definitely the most active child we have ever came across. No matter the situation, he always finds a reason to laugh, sing or yell at the top of his lungs.
He lights up a room only with his presence by greeting everyone inside of the room and introducing you to everyone. But his sunny disposition belies a life that is full of challenges and difficulties.
Today he’s 15 years old. We can luckily say that he found a home in St. Nicholas’ Home and friends that he can give support to and get support from. We pray that Wen will continue to have a smile for everyone he meets and we will strive to give him a loving environment to grow up in.
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