One Dollar One Meal

THE STORY OF MINE

I am a fourteen years old girl. My family lives in a remote province of southern Vietnam. I was born with cataract and got an eye surgery at the age of six months at the National Hospital. After this first operation, I could see clearly and go to school. Yet my vision became blurred quickly after my third grade.

Again I returned to the hospital with fear. My parents were very worried when my eye doctor informed that I was diagnosed with pan-uveitis and in need of an immediate surgery. The surgery failed. My eyes no longer received light. It happened to me that the dark would cover the rest of my life. I no longer went to school like my sighted friends. When hearing my friends calling each other to school every morning, I felt more depressed, stressful, and isolated. I continued receiving treatment at the hospital during the next two consecutive years, but my vision could not be recovered. In spite of walking step by step in daylight, my world was only darkness.

Time passed, new hope came to me. I was introduced to The Association for the Blind. I received empathy from adults of the association. I learned from those inspiring mature people the spirit of optimism. Since then, I had motivation to pursue education and gain confidence on the path of sowing dreams in the dark.

My dream of going to school came true when I was officially accepted into Braille program of Vi Thuy Home for the Blind. Six tiny braille dots took me to a unboundary world. Each tiny dot was like mysterious sunshine from the sun of knowledge which quenched my thirst of discovering human knowledge treasure. Moreover, I was taught orientation and mobility skills to navigate around safely. Not only did I receive education, but also I got special care and love of sisters and friends of this home. Most importantly, the sisters taught me the lesson of appreciation attitude.

Having been fluent in Braille, I was sent to a local elementary school to continue my education at the 4^thgrade. Currently I am in sixth grade of an inclusive class at a local secondary school. Of course, I met some difficulties at first steps, but the sisters always stayed next to me, consoled and encouraged me to integrate into community life. My effort and support from many individuals pay me well with excellent results. 

Now I can see the world with my heart and hands though my eyes cannot see the nature. Certainly, I can reach to this point thanks to my loving parents, friends, and sisters who have directly accompanied me through many difficulties. I also want to express my sincere attitude toward BVCF benefactors for reaching out and supporting me as well as other blind friends in Vietnam.  Hopefully, you will be keep giving us a hand so that many of children with visual impairment like me can become more confident and have a better future. In return, I will always express my deep appreciation by studying harder.