She Scripts Success with her Mind’s Eye : Kochi

Blindness did not deter her from dreaming big. O Aishwarya of Rajagiri Christu Jayanthi Public School may not be able to see the world like other children would but her achievement can well become a beacon of light that can show the way for several other children like her.

Aishwarya, who was born blind, passed the Plus-Two examinations with A+ in all subjects from a school where the others enjoyed the sense of sight. When she came to the city after passing Class V from Bangalore, she was denied admission in several schools.

 “In spite of her excellent academic records, the school managements were not willing to take up the responsibility. But we wanted her to grow up like any other child. What such children require is guidance and not sympathy,” said Aishwarya’s father O R Ravi.

Aishwarya studied and passed the Class VI examinations with the help of a scribe. The most difficult part was to orate mathematical problems that she had to mentally solve.

 “Her grasping power is commendable. She has a sharp memory too,” said Saji Varghese, Principal of the school.

Only when she reached Class VII was she trained in braille. When she stepped into Class IX she got to train in computer. With the help of computer software Jaws, developed for the visually challenged, she read her books and typed notes. She now surfs the net faster than those who can see. Her textbooks are sent to Chennai from where it is converted into digital format.

 While other blind children appear for exams with the help of braille, Aishwarya’s parents insisted that she use Jaws and she appeared for the exam in Thiruvananthapuram with the help of a lab-technician and two teachers.

Aishwarya’s clinical condition has no known cure. But this doesn’t stop her from dreaming.

She wants to pursue Economics and work with the Indian Economic Service.

 “I am extremely happy with the result. It was definitely hard but worth it. I hope more educational institutions offer admissions to  differently-abled students, promote inclusive education and lead us to mainstream society” said Aishwarya.



Source : The New Indian Express , 28th May 2014