(Trinidad Guardian) “I never looked at it as something to stop me. That’s the main thing. If you look at it as a way to stop you, you won’t excel.”
Inspirational words from visually impaired student Ryan Khamran who excelled at the CSEC examination. The former student of Debe Secondary got eight passes in Mathematics, English, Literature, Social Studies, Caribbean History, Principles of Business, Office Administration, and integrated Science.
At age five he was diagnosed with glaucoma and was only seeing shadows. As the years went by, his sight worsened. Asked how he got by in school, he said, “I did it using my laptop so in the class I would either have an aid or a student read out notes to me and I would type it up and that is how I would get the notes for revision. For exams, I had a reader and writer. Well, this year was only multiple choice so I had someone read the questions to me and they would note down the answers. Khamran’s dream is to become a sports journalist but his immediate plan is to open a business. His Christmas wish is that his business gets off the ground.
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal yesterday presented Khamran, his constituent, with a talking watch specifically designed for people who are visually impaired, at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe.
“His achievement is indeed a shining light and it comes at a time when we give recognition in the time of Christmas. Christmas as you know is a time of miracles, it is a time of joy, it is a time of magic and Ryan is indeed a magical student and a great mentor to so many children throughout our constituency and throughout the region. School principal Romeo Guness said Khamran brought joy to Debe Secondary.
“I can testify to his resilience. He is an inspiration to his peers and a motivation to his teachers.” He said Khamchan never saw his impairment as a challenge but as motivation to forge ahead. Moonilal also presented his constituent Ramrattee Mahadeo with a wheelchair.