Born without sight, Samar has
more insight than most people'. -
Dawn
(click on gif for symphony)
Inspite of the fact that I am totally blind, have
marble bones and limited hearing, I started learning Braille at home, at
the age of 7 years. My private tutor, Mr.
Abdus Shakoor, was also blind and taught at Sunrise School for the
Blind in Lahore. It was because of his extraordinary committed efforts
that I picked up both English and Urdu Braille very fast. On his advice,
and to speed up my learning process, my mother also learnt Braille. According
to my teacher, no other student of his learnt Braille so fast.
My teacher then advised that I should take admission
in a normal school. The then principal of Divisional Public School Model Town, Lahore, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bajwa, (A Man of Action And a Person having a Progressive and Positive thinking) was approached for admission.
He was extremely cooperative but said that his school did not have any experience in handling a blind student nor would the teachers have the time to give me special attention. He also apprehended that the classmates might have an aggressive attitude and bully me.
My parents said that I should be treated like
a normal student without getting any extra help or attention from the teachers.
The only thing necessary was that whatever was written on the blackboard
should be spoken so that I could hear. The principal agreed to admit me
as an experimental case, as a casual student, in class II in 1976. After
2 months a term exam was held and I stood 1st . As a result of this the
principal immediately confirmed me as a regular student, and then there
was no looking back.
My parents tell me that surprisingly all the
children of my school were extremely friendly and cooperative and there
never was a situation when any student bullied me.
From Kindergarten to Grade 9, I always attained
top positions amongst a class of 75 normal students. After Grade 9 I had
to discontinue regular schooling because of acuteness of ear problems.
However, I continued and still continue to keep myself abreast through
Braille books & magazines, radio, TV and all other sources available
to me.
I am very good at Braille, mainly because of
my ability to perceive by touching. This sense of touch is also apparent
in my ability to pick out any audio or videocassette I want from my stock
of several hundred cassettes.
I, being a blind person, feel that there is a
great lack of awareness among sighted persons regarding the problems faced
by the unsighted ones during their educational career. For example, insufficient
knowledge about Braille language that has lead to the dearth of facilities
for producing written material for the blind and the lack of standardization
of Urdu Braille.
One of the greatest problems I faced during my schooling
was the non-availability of books in Braille. My parents tell me that initially
the Director of Special Education, Government of Punjab arranged to get
the books transcribed in Braille. But later when he was transferred the
new incumbent not only refused to arrange for the books, he advised that
it was a waste of time and money to educate me. I then wrote a letter to
the then President of Pakistan who responded immediately by directing the
Governor of Punjab to resolve the matter. The Governor wrote to my parents
to contact the Chief Secretary. On meeting him, my parents were directed
to follow the case down the hierarchy, which they did. However, it proved
to be a fruitless exercise and nothing happened.
My mother used to read to me the lessons from
normal books after I made out notes on my Perkins
Brailler. Obviously this
was not the best solution but nevertheless it was better than nothing.
I always used to take keen interest in all the
activities of the school, e.g. I was a member of the Quaid-e-Azam Society,
and went to school picnics with my friends. Similarly, I get great pleasure
even in the smallest activity at home. I keep myself up-to-date in general
knowledge and display a keen interest in today's electronic gadgetry. For
instance, I am extremely fond of good food, even though I have problems
in chewing and swallowing.
I purchased the Braille N Speak Classic
on my last trip to the USA in 1996. According to my information, this computer
is not available in Pakistan yet. I suggest that this equipment should
be available in all blind schools. I am sure that there will be many donors/sponsors
who will finance such a project. A friend of mine has suggested that advice
and training can be provided through a team of dedicated persons. According
to her this project may be difficult but not impossible.
I have travelled alone to the US and Canada twice, while
transiting in Amsterdam. I have confidence in myself ands will not shy
away from any situation. The way I move around in my house, one would not
think that I am blind. Inspite of my handicaps - I lead a relatively normal
life.
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