A True Story: Loss of Vision, Loss of Sight

So, there was a heart-rending testimony by a blind man called David, from Agape Services for the Blind at church today. He told us of his childhood - when he was active in sports; representing his school for competitions and could enjoy them greatly - with perfect vision.

Until one day, when he dropped his eraser - and couldn't seem to find it. So he reached out his hands and tried to find it, like how a blind person would. When his sister came by and saw, she asked why couldn't he find it, as it was simply RIGHT IN FRONT of him.

Thinking nothing of it, time passed. But these kinds of incidents repeated themselves, so his mother took him to the doctor. Then, the doctor told her.

He had "retinitis pigmentosa" - a genetic disease that caused loss of both night and normal vision.

His mother was shocked. She left the doctor, and headed back to David who asked her what was the matter. She didn't answer, but when she reached the entrance, only then she spoke, "It's okay. We're going to keep seeing other doctors until you're cured."

Finally, the tears she had been holding back were let loose.

She cried.

And so did he.

They didn't know how long they were there crying at the entrance.

He was only 14 when he found out he was going blind. It was a difficult situation for him to grasp. After all, how could it happen to him? He was only fourteen. Just..fourteen. Could you imagine, if that was you? I couldn't.

To add to it, he was the only male child in the family - and the eldest. The rest of his three siblings were his sisters. As the eldest, he had responsibilities and expectations. It wasn't his fault that he had the disease, but yet he felt that he was letting his parents down, his sisters.

No longer could he participate in what he loved - that was sports. He could no longer be a player, but only a watcher - from the sidelines.

Could you imagine how painful it was, it is - to not be able to do what you love?

I felt like crying. Not for me, but for him.

Yet with much courage, faith and time, he learnt Braille. He excelled in his academics and won awards. Now, he is helping others by working at Agape Services for the Blind.

After his story, there was a performance - by the blind themselves - a group of them who had came.

It was simply amazing and touching at the same time.

We gave them a standing ovation that was truly, genuinely well-deserved.

I hope that you who reads this note is blessed and touched just as I have been, and I also hope that this will inspire you to help the community.

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” ― Barack Obama