August 18th, 2023

“It’s truly wonderful to work on yourself. The results are truly remarkable and beautiful.” These were some of Kathy’s words to me when we met. I will start with these words as they can give you a glimpse of Kathy’s amazing attitude and outlook on life.
During our lengthy conversation, Kathy shared her fulfilling life journey, and I felt as though I had travelled the world; witnessing breathtaking sceneries and thrilling adventures, filled with strength and power. Through Kathy’s eyes, I experienced a world of resilience, appreciation, and gratitude.

How it all started
“My story began in high school, where I faced a challenge with my eyesight. Unknowingly, I started copying equations and other data incorrectly, resulting in poor grades, and finally in failing my year. I was quite upset with myself, having always been an excellent student, especially in sciences. I had high hopes for my future as a pediatrician. Furthermore, my family was highly disappointed in me. At that time, I decided to keep my vision problem to myself, not wanting to burden my loved ones with my struggles.”
“I was an intelligent, beautiful girl. I had been taking driving lessons and I loved cooking, especially desserts, which I had started making since I was 11 years old. Additionally, I used to be of great help to my mother at home.
Today, I look back fondly on this period of my life when I was interested in everything and dedicated to everything: my studies, cooking, and driving. This period was very useful for me in the years that followed.

“What I was actually experiencing was severe dryness in my eyes. My case involved the gradual loss of vision, and that gradual decline actually helped me come to terms with what was happening and arrive to where I am today in my life, given that I can only see profiles and blurry shapes, but no details whatsoever.
“It was extremely difficult for me at the beginning, as I had many dreams that seemed to have been shattered. I rebelled against my circumstances and embarked on a journey of self-improvement to reach where I am today. I challenged myself immensely. ⇒ Initially, I stayed at home and took care of household chores, I cleaned everything, redid the curtains, and more. To my surprise, the neighbors couldn’t believe that I had a vision problem, seeing everything that I was capable of.

“One day, my brother-in-law advised me to continue my education at the Lebanese School for the Blind and the Deaf. When I arrived, I noticed that there were individuals with varying degrees of vision loss, just like my future husband and his siblings. Despite their different abilities, they all helped each other, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Observing these individuals taught me to be strong and determined in facing obstacles. ⇒ I began learning to use a typewriter and the Braille language. My teacher was surprised at how quickly I mastered Braille letters and encouraged me to utilize my abilities to their full potential and contribute to society. His words resonated with me, and I made a commitment to continue my studies. ⇒ I passed the baccalaureate brilliantly, surprising everyone around me! With a university scholarship to study journalism, I decided to pursue my passion for psychology instead. Eventually, I obtained my master’s degree in psychology, and while I had aspirations for a doctorate, I decided to take a little rest.”

The second part
“I met my husband, Muhammad, at school and we fell in love. Though he had already started working, he decided to pursue the baccalaureate with me. Despite being of another religion, his openness and understanding have been essential in making our relationship work. From the beginning, I let him know the importance of faith in my life, and it continues to play a significant role even today. We hold hands every day before eating, share a few words of prayer and a kiss, and then begin our meal.

“After getting married, we lived in the South, where educational opportunities were limited. As someone with a degree in psychology and a passion for challenges, I took up the task of teaching local children at the request of some parents. And I challenged myself again. Starting with one student, I gradually extended and successfully taught several, helping them pass the Brevet exams. I am someone who really likes challenges and challenging myself. ⇒ And then I turned to teaching for the Baccalaureate level as well! To this day, parents of students I have taught reach out to me and express their gratitude.

“When we returned to Beirut, we rented an apartment close to my parents’ house, enjoying the opportunity to be near them and visit them daily. I am grateful to God for the grace of having my parents still with us. I make it a point to spend time with 74-year-old mother on a daily basis and help her with household chores. I even help her with tasks like cleaning the windows.

“My day begins at 5am. I manage all the tasks at home without any help. Our home is clean and in order. I have challenged myself and practiced my skills, knowing that I will eventually go blind. ⇒ To prepare for this, I practiced doing things with my eyes closed: forcing myself to focus and memorize the steps involved in various activities.

“I mentioned that I have a passion for cooking. If someone presented me with a good recipe that is considered exceptionally challenging, and they suggest that I shouldn’t attempt to make it, it fuels my determination to try it. I rebel and refuse to accept limitations: ⇒ I challenge myself and repeatedly attempt until I succeed.
Recently, I was entrusted with preparing food for a reception held among friends at work. It was an opportunity to show my culinary expertise.

“This approach of tackling challenges and seeking self-improvement extends to all aspects of my life. If someone was to point out a mistake in me, I take it upon myself to assess the situation. If they are right, even in part, I don’t shy away from the truth. I make it my priority to work on my shortcomings and ensure that my personal growth. I do not accept to have anything wrong within myself ⇒ I strive to fix it.”

Today
“I am grateful of the life I have.
My husband works in the manufacture of straw baskets at the school for the blind and I work in the public sector. My husband has had cataract since childhood, and despite numerous surgeries, his ability to see has not improved; on the contrary, he faces further challenges. He can see but can’t drive and needs to sit close to the television when watching something, like a match, to see the ball.

“Mohammad and I have also had our problems. While we had hoped for children, it seems that it is not in God’s plan for us. ⇒ Despite this challenge, I have worked hard to improve and overcome this. Although difficulties arise in our life, we cherish living in peace and security at home, where we often sing and dance together; we have great voices. Mohammad skillfully plays the tambourine (derbakke), and we were once members of a choir called Layalel al Charek, and he also teaches the tambourine.

“Before, with Mohammad’s salary, we managed to cover our rent, electricity, generator fees, and water bills, while my salary supported our daily expenses and allowed us to save some money. However, our landlord decided to raise the rent and threatened to evict us. Fortunately, through the help we received, we were able to pay rent for the next nine months and stay in our home.

Even in my workplace, I encountered challenges, but I managed to make significant progress in my career. I had to put in a lot of effort.

It is regrettable you did not continue pursuing psychology as a career. “Even if I had, I suspect that society might not have fully accepted me as a psychologist due to my visual impairment. This thought saddens me because personal growth and continuous learning are important to me. Recently, I participated in a graduation ceremony at USJ, where I took various courses, including computer skills, sports, and mental health. Last year, I focused on improving my English writing.

“I have honed my ability to concentrate deeply on multiple tasks simultaneously. Knowing that my vision would continue to deteriorate, I made a conscious effort to train myself and improve my concentration abilities.”

My Message:
“Nothing lasts forever; even in the face of enormous pressure and challenges, we must hold on to the idea that this too shall eventually pass.

“For blind individuals, self-acceptance is crucial. Support from parents is essential in this process.
Moreover, every person faces their unique challenges, not just related to disabilities like blindness or deafness. Life is filled with various adventures and disasters that can strike unexpectedly, such as not being able to have children, the loss of a loved one, or struggling with self-esteem. However, in every problem, there can be a positive aspect, and it is important to recognize this.

“Personally, when faced with challenges, like the rent issue, I initially felt anger and sadness, but I reminded myself to rebel (intefed); stand tall, and find a solution. It’s similar to slipping and getting covered in sand; you shake it off and keep moving forward as if nothing happened.
Life is a journey with its ups and downs, and we all stumble and fall sometimes. The key is to remember that losing a battle doesn’t mean losing a war. Whenever I fall, I make sure to pick myself up and continue. Life goes on, whether or not I am ready for it, so I choose to face it head-on and embrace the challenges. No matter what life throws our way, we must rise again, brush off the setbacks, and continue our journey with strength and determination.”

Kathy and Mohammad, throughout their relationship, understood that their fight was not against each other but rather together, against the challenges that life placed before them. There are so many lessons to draw from these two remarkable human beings.

Kathy teaches us that resilience is not fueled by hate or vengeance towards life or others, but rather by accepting the situation while refusing to give up or surrender. It is an ongoing personal struggle and journey of self-improvement to evolve and become a better version of oneself. Alongside resilience, gratitude for what we have plays a crucial role in overcoming obstacles and also appreciating our achievements every step of the way is very important. It is this mindset that empowers and strengthens our resilience. Kathy’s example is a truly inspiring model for those seeking well-being: the embodiment of resilience, appreciation, and gratitude.

For me personally, spending time with Kathy and listening to her has been an enlightening and continuous learning experience. The impact she has had on me, the strength she has shared, and the feeling of gratitude she emanates have brought about a profound change in me.

Kathy, your resilience, energy, positivity, constant smile, and gratitude are all CONTAGIOUS. While ‘contagious’ often carries negative connotations like suspicion, hatred, fear, viruses, and contamination, we tend to forget that positive energy, like resilience and gratitude, holds even more power and is even more transferable. One or a few individuals can spark an amazing chain of positive impact and well-being. This is indeed a strong message of hope.

Kathy, you have taken me on a beautiful journey, and I am now carrying a treasure trove of well-being wisdom. I wish I could convince you to visit universities, companies, and meet as many people as possible to share and spread your extraordinary attitude.

Kathy, you can make a real difference in this world.

Jul 6, 2023

It was an extraordinary and truly remarkable experience, or rather, a beautiful adventure or discovery that unfolded before my eyes. Marlene a dynamic and humorous person who has been blind since birth, was awaiting my visit at her home.

As I arrived at Marlene’s house, I was unsure of what to expect and felt slightly apprehensive that my visit might encumber or burden her. Did I really say ‘encumber Marlene’? Not at all. Marlene warmly opened the door, welcomed me, and effortlessly guided me to the living room. She introduced me to her parents and honestly, it was I who felt a bit lost and in need of guidance during this reunion.

My intention in visiting Marlene was to understand how she copes with her inability to see, where and from whom she finds the support she needs to navigate her life, and who the pillars are in her everyday life? I am sorry, but I can’t but laugh at my ignorance or misinformation! Marlene is thriving, and many people rely on her!

1- Marlene, the teacher:

“I am a teacher at a private national school for the blind. Some of my colleagues are also blind.
In our world, hearing and touching are significantly important. We rely on them more than sighted individuals. At our school, we still use Braille as our primary language. We train students to use their hands and the sense of touch. Today, some students rely on sounds for dictation, but I believe using touch leads to better dictation skills.
I personally still enjoy reading through Braille rather than using audio books. I find pleasure in touching the words and feeling the texture rather than hearing someone read for me. I like to read and use my voice, and I appreciate the words themselves.

“Aside from teaching, I also work with the Ministry of Education. I translate the Braille material for formal exams and they use my translations to grade exams.

Discovering Braille is a wonderful experience. I would love for you to join me in this journey. Let me show you how it works.” And here I was, discovering the Braille language, and exploring the Jaws hearing program on Marlene’s Laptop!

“If you’d like, you can come and visit to see the classes. Have I mentioned that I still adore math to this day?”

2- Marlene, the school’s memory:

“My memory is my strength. I possess a unique and remarkably strong memory. The school director refers to me as the ‘school’s memory’. I have the ability to remember everything and I enjoy using and sharpening this skill, benefitting the people around me as well.

I could recall all of my father’s friends’ phone numbers. Just a few weeks ago, my father and his neighbor needed to contact a very old friend of theirs whose number they had lost. They asked me, and I easily retrieved the number stored in my mind!

As blind individuals, we tend to retain and focus more. I will provide an example: while I am working, I place the various items I use in different places. I must remember the specific location of each item in order to use them effectively, which helps me exercise and strengthen my memory. This practice also leads to order. Without a well-structured organization and routine, I would struggle to remember and accomplish my tasks. Hence, blind individuals possess exceptional organizational skills and rely on order.

If I enter a place and I notice that it is disorderly or unclean, I promptly leave. I have a strong sense for such things. When I visit a new location to teach, I request people to provide me with details about the architecture and layout, to help me move about the space easily.

A discipline schedule (Total Nizam): I walk for exactly 40 minutes after lunch and never eat any fruits at least two hours before, etc. I follow a well-planned routine throughout the day.”

3- Marlene, the secret keeper:

“Everyone confides in me and feels at ease sharing and trusting me with their secrets. I have a wide circle of friends, both blind and sighted individuals. I am open-minded and straightforward. I don’t concern myself with others’ conflicts; I neither see, nor hear, nor speak about them. I do not like to discuss what doesn’t concern me. I have a unique perspective, living and thinking in a way that suits me best; my universe is my own. Many refer to me as the ‘secret keeper’!” (katibat al asrar)

4- Marlene, the engaging creative:

“I am passionate about my work, and I love languages. I enjoy writing and speaking, and I take pride in my ability to do so eloquently. When something noteworthy occurs at school, I am often asked to write about it. I am the one entrusted with the task of discussing it. I write about it from my unique perspective, not conforming to expectations imposed upon me. I possess my distinct point of view on matters.

“I also engage in something that might be considered unconventional, I read and interpret paintings. One of my relatives is studying pedagogy, and as part of her coursework, she has to explain artworks. She describes the paintings to me and I provide explanations and meanings for them.

“Additionally, I prepare and participate in school programs, especially during events involving organizations like UNICEF or within our own school community.

“I used to collaborate with my aunt, who is a teacher at College Notre Dame de Jamhour, to create plays. She would perform these plays with the students in the school’s theatre. I particularly enjoyed writing the dialogue.

“I am a member of the school choir. Music runs in our family and we all sing and play instruments at home. My brother, who is also visually impaired, excels in playing various instruments and even performs with Wael Kfoury.”

5- Marlene, the guide:

“I often go shopping with my cousins, originally with the intention of seeking their assistance in selecting clothes for myself. However, it often turns into a situation where I end up advising them on the best outfits for them instead. Some people find this dynamic amusing, as they perceive me as the guide in this shopping journey.

“I tend to place a greater emphasis on my appearance when I go out compared to an average person. I am conscious of the elements of my look and worry about them. Why? Because I am aware that people may attribute any perceived flaw in my appearance to my blindness. There is a common misconception that being blind prevents me from looking perfect or presentable.
I am picky and hold high standards for myself when it comes to my clothes, hair, and nails.”

What would you like to add Marlene?

“We all often take our senses and body parts for granted until we experience their absence or encounter someone who faces difficulties in using them. It is when we feel pain somewhere that we realize the importance of a particular body part that we truly appreciate its value. Sometimes it takes witnessing the challenges others face to gain a deeper understanding of our own capabilities and faculties. I know a kid who needed help unbuttoning his pants. That is when I realized how my hands and my other faculties were valuable.

Many times, our conversations and complaints revolve around what we don’t have rather than acknowledging and celebrating what we have. An example of this was during the COVID-19 pandemic when people lost their sense of smell or taste suddenly and realized how important these senses were to their daily lives. As blind individuals, we approach things in a more profound manner, appreciating the gifts that have been bestowed upon us.”

What about the society in Lebanon?

“There is often an excessive level of overprotection from families. In my case, although I am perfectly capable of being independent, my parents will not leave me alone at home. The lack of independence is further exaggerate by societal factors, both due to the patriarchal nature of our world and the added challenges created by our blindness. It is important for parents, at the very least, to support and encourage our independence. Additionally, financial considerations play a significant role in determining the level of independence we can achieve.

There is a striking lack of awareness in our societies, particularly in Lebanon, where blind individuals do not feel seen or included. For instance, it may not even have been evident to you that we, as blind individuals, exist and should be considered when developing your products and services. There are indeed products available for blind persons, but they are often quite expensive and not readily accessible in Lebanon.

Finding employment as a blind individual, especially in the private sector, is challenging, more so given current circumstances. Despite some attempts to address this issue, success has been limited, particularly considering the current economic situation. The matter of employment for blind individuals has become politicized. However, there are individuals making efforts on their own to improve the situation.

I tried to work in a radio station, which is something I honestly like. I envisioned having my own show where I can discuss interesting subjects or even contribute as a voice-over artist for radio advertisements. I genuinely enjoy these roles and believe I have both the talent and passion for them. Unfortunately, I have encountered challenges in securing a job in this field. When potential employers see me, they change their minds, overlooking my abilities and potential. This treatment is unfair and disheartening. Here are a couple of subjects that I would have been interested to explore on my radio show. One would be Literature: examining its evolution and comparing works from different time periods. Another would be Art: its evolution and the intersection of art and entertainment.

Your Message:
“Just see us as fellow human beings, just like you. If you see an empty chair, give it to us, and we will gladly fill it. Give us a chance to prove ourselves! Why not!”

When I think of Marlene, a flood of images rushes back to me, one after another, passing through my mind. Being part of a lineage of entrepreneurs spanning several generations, I envision myself in my father’s company, working alongside him. I would often approach his colleagues who had been with the company since its inception, growing alongside it, and ask them to recount my father’s journey. Their stories brought me immense pleasure as I listened intently and observed their expressions of happiness and pride. They had witnessed every step, sharing tales of both beautiful moments and challenging times, recounting the trials and challenges they faced, as well as the memorable anecdotes experienced together. The company became intertwined with their lives, marked by weddings, births, family milestones, and shared events. It was a life lived, a story experienced, and a path traversed together. I yearned to be a part of it and to achieve as much.

To you, young and future entrepreneurs, who are brimming with ideas and ambitions, ready to embark on the journey of creating and building the business of your dreams. You, who have leafed through countless books and listened to numerous stories that have inspired you. You, who have your own role models and sources of admiration. I wish for you to choose ‘Marlenes’ by your side in this new adventure. ‘Marlenes’ who will not just simply pass through, but who will stand by your side like pillars, utilizing their extraordinary abilities for the benefit of the company. They will go through all the ups and downs with you, meticulously remembering what made you strong, to remind you constantly of them, while discretely burying your tireless mistakes within themselves. They will serve as guides, but without seeking to occupy more space than others. On the contrary, they will encourage you to embrace equity and diversity in your work, fostering an atmosphere of unity and well-being within the company.

My wish for you is to have ‘Marlenes’ by your side, because above all, I wish that when the time comes for you to have your own story, there will be someone there to tell it.

April 8, 2023

At the halfway point of our life, at a time we start to reflect on the years that have passed and look forward to a better and more fulfilling second half. When we try to understand what is of real importance in our life and start to steer away from everything that is trivial and shallow, and pull away from all the negativity that surrounds us. When we realize that our best memories are simple moments of sharing and appreciating the beauty around us, moments that could trigger our senses and warm our hearts.
By the time I realized the impact people have on my wellbeing and how important it is to carefully choose my friends;
By the time I became miserly in accepting or making compromises, strict in my choices, and appreciative and aware of how much these decisions are connected to my wellbeing;
By that time: I made a new friend. Her name is Noelle.

As a person who lost the ability to see at a very early age, what makes you different?

When you, who can see, are listening to someone, you might miss hearing part of the conversation because you are also focused on their looks, their gestures, or something else may visually distract you away from the conversation. Our lack of vision allows us to move beyond appearance, listen, and look deeper into the person. It also allows us to be more accepting of people regardless of their origin, culture, education, or religion. I am a person who has friends from all over, from all sects and religions, from different cultural backgrounds, and from different social classes.

Our sense of touch is quite developed. By mere touching, I can feel details that you might not see with your eyes. For example, I own two pairs of jeans that are quite similar. You won’t be able to notice a difference between them. How can I recognize one from the other? By touching them, I feel the smallest details, which you might never notice.

Attention to detail. I know how to locate my things, how to pay attention to every particularity about them – their size, place, and position… You, for example, can drop something because your attention is elsewhere. I am a perfectionist, and I am obsessed with order.

The ability to remember. To study, since we cannot rely on our vision, we learn to remember things – we develop a large memory. For calculations, we have a high capacity to retain numbers. This ability to remember makes us good candidates for certain types of jobs.

Tell me more about yourself. How do you relax?

I really like nature. Today, I sat in the sun and heard the song of birds. I love listening to birds chirping. I imagine the beauty of the greenery around me. I love feeling the wind, the sun. I have spent many days in nature with my sisters. It makes me happy to feel the spring air around us.

I adore smelling flowers and especially orange blossoms. Among my favorite flowers are also the gardenia and jasmine. Their scent fills me with intense joy. I am in love with wonderful scents.
I don’t leave home without wearing perfume, I feel bad if I don’t. I focus a lot on smell, sometimes more than I should. When I am feeling down and I need a positive push, I take a bath at night, and then I rub my body with lotion, and I smell amazing.

Listening to music. I love listening to songs in English, French, and Arabic, and I especially like listening to piano music. It relaxes me to the point of daydreaming. Music has accompanied me all through my life. Many blind persons learn to play music by listening. They have a musical ear. I learn the melodies just by listening to them.

I like to read books. I have a talking program (Jaws) on my computer for that. I sometimes listen to movies on Netflix, but above all I audio-read a lot of books. I have become used to focusing on sound. When I was younger, I used to read through Braille, but recently, with the Apple and Android systems, everything is available in audible versions through applications (Audiobooks) that one can download on any device.

I have to mention that hardly any assistive accessories that blind people usually use to manage their life in private or public spaces are available in Lebanon, and braille material are only available in small quantities in dedicated schools. The Internet and its audio platforms have been of great help.

Tell me about your education and professional path.

I lost my eyesight at an early age; therefore, I don’t remember what it was like to see.
I was educated at the Lebanese School for the Blind and Deaf. I, like most students, interned during my elementary years. The school then sponsored us at an affiliated school for our secondary education.

After graduating from high-school, I was admitted to the Lebanese University, which at the time was not equipped to handle my disability. Back then, the computer was still a novelty and not available for students, who were still using manual typewriters. The university and the government did not help us in adapting to academic life and our surroundings. I had to manage on my own, with some help from my old school and certain related associations. At least today students have computers and audio programs.

I have been working at the Ministry of Finance since 1996. I am the secretary to the director of the Department of Revenue. Over the years, I have proven my ability to get the work done. It is important to project a positive image of the blind in work and life and for people to understand that we are capable beings.

I am also the president of the Lebanese Universities League for the Blind. Our purpose is to help blind people find work opportunities. We also help them with their academic studies.

You fit in so well and seem to be able to manage every step of the way?

My family background is relatively broad minded, yet my sisters went to schools that were chosen by my parents based on our background and community. The blind does not have those options. I especially learnt to be more accepting and open to everything at school, where the students were from all religions and social classes, and where appearance did not matter. Additionally, I work in the public domain, which is, in itself, a gathering of different cultures.

You have made a lot of friends it seems.

Effort is always a two-way street. When I first went to university, I didn’t know where to go or what to do during my breaks. My fellow students didn’t know how to deal with a blind person, so I had to make the effort and reach out to them. Only then did they make the necessary effort to listen to my needs and adapt to my disability. It is all about being willing to make the effort.
It was a positive time in my life. Some of the people I met are among my best friends today.

The best is when people forget you have a disability. At times, when my friends drive me home, they forget that they have to help me out of the car. This shows how comfortable I am with myself and how much they have adapted to my blindness. I am happy I give a positive idea about what it is to be blind.

I would like to mention another experience I had related to effort and adaptability. I often travel for work and leisure. One of my trips was to the United States with Mobility International USA (MIUSA), a disability-led non-profit organization. Their objective was to bring together people from different countries with different disabilities. I shared a bedroom with a person in a wheelchair. Throughout the journey, I helped my roommate with her mobility and she helped by being my sighted guide.

What would you like to say to our readers?

I would like to mention a few issues that need greater awareness or improvement.

As a child, my parents were overprotective of me, which could have turned me into a dependent person. However, I didn’t like to have to count on anyone to get things done or ask for help, even from family. It is important that people with disabilities learn to rely on themselves as much as possible, so family should guide them toward being independent. Today I live alone, I learned to cook…and be independent.

I was married to a blind man, and now I am divorced. It is really uncommon for a blind woman to marry a seeing man. Our community is not accepting enough, and in general tends to not realize that we too, like all women, want and can build a family. We can move around alone, take care of the house, cook, get dressed, and make ourselves look pretty.

I would also like to mention work opportunities. Do we find jobs easily? The answer is a definite no. Businesses are highly apprehensive about hiring someone who is completely blind. There is still too much avoidance and not enough awareness about our capabilities and our abilities. There are slightly more opportunities for the visually impaired.

Your message:

It is time to give us the chance to live in an equal society: equal education, equal job opportunities, and equal rights in everything that allows us to lead a deserving life. We are not, and do not want to be thought of as charity cases.

When I go out with friends to a restaurant, the waiter tends to address them rather than me. It is horrible. I am blind, but I can hear and I can speak. I know how to make my own choice. Speak to me. Ask me! We have to reach a time where society understands that a blind person is still a whole person with a life, a person who can make decisions, a person who should be addressed and treated as such.

Throughout our conversation, Noelle kept repeating “effort is a two-way street”. I did not realize how important these few words were until I began to transcribe our conversation and try to understand the depth of their meaning. It is, as Noelle said, just a question of two sides willing to put forth the effort to learn how to adapt to the other’s needs. It is at that point that we realize how capable and talented blind people are, and how important it is to have them fully integrated in our lives. Their lack of sight has led them to develop astonishing skills by using their heightened sense of touch, strong attention to detail, hearing beyond mere listening, and exceptional memorizing ability.

Studying, working, or simply living with a person with special needs requires a minimum of effort of adaptation on both sides. The effort involves observing, learning, and listening to their needs, while showing and teaching them our needs as well.

Isn’t mutual effort something we should always be striving for regardless of who we are and who we have to study with, work with, or simply be with? We each have our background, our culture, our education, our beliefs, and our character: all of these things shape us into different individuals. Isn’t effort necessary to achieve a sense of acceptance and cohesion in any situation or setting? Isn’t that the very basis of a wellbeing environment: a place where we are accepted, tolerated, and valued for who we are; a place where we feel in harmony and thrive?

In a world that is rapidly growing, where technology is continuously adapting to our needs and making our lives easier, it is absolutely necessary to embrace these special needs and disabled people among us. They are the ones able to remind us that, even with this tremendous and amazing technology that is ahead of us, there is a constant effort that each and every one of us must be aware of and keep making. This effort is what makes us and will continue to make us unique as humans – the capacity to use our minds, hearts, and imagination in order to be able to understand, communicate, and share life with one another.