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.
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