AARON CHEW Class 2B1 ( 2013 )
CREATING POSSIBILITIES AMIDST APPARENT IMPOSSIBILITIES
Aaron Chew is a Secondary Two student and a student journalist who suffers from severe retinal detachment that leaves his vision impaired in the left eye .
I faced various challenges during my journey in Clementi Town Secondary School , and my severe eye retinal detachment was one of them . Retinal detachment occurs when my retina , which is a light sensitive structure at the back of the eye that enables the brain to process visual images , is detached . It is comparable to that of a film in the camera . I realised this problem in June 2011 . I visited the optician ; however they claimed that it was due to lazy eye . When I came to Clementi Town Secondary School , the nurse found that I could not see almost everything . That was when I went through a series of hospital checks and discovered I had a retinal detachment . It was a heavy blow to me . I could not participate in Physical Education lessons with my friends , nor could I play vigorous sports with them . Thoughts flooded my mind . Why and how did I end up like this ?
I had to cope with my heavy workload in my studies as well as in my Co-curricular Activities , Digital Journalism . As I had to read often to maintain my good standard of English , I often used a magnifying glass to read the tiny prints of the newspapers , books and magazines . I sat in the front row of the class , and my teachers had to enlarge the worksheet prints as well . However , that did not deter me from excelling and soaring to greater heights .
I received the support of my fellow school mates , teachers , parents and relatives . They guided me through the tough times where I groaned in pain after my surgery .
Although my left eye vision is now only 6 / 45 which is extremely bad , I still have positive thoughts that I will be successful in all aspects . Even though I cannot play vigorous sports like basketball , I play card games and mind-thinking games like chess .
I realise that when one is faced with adversity , it is often easy for us to just give up and take the easy way out . We can easily use our medical condition as an excuse to not do many things assigned to us , or demand that others spare a thought for us and give us special treatment . However , I now believe that life gives us challenges so that we can become stronger , and not wallow in self-pity .
Thus , I will keep striving to better myself despite the adversities I face .
012 Our Story : School is where We Aspire and Grow