Visually impaired student serves as inspiration

MANGALDAN, PANGASINAN - There is hope beyond limitations. This is what the 20-year old Rachele Quirimit proved despite her visual impairment.

Rachele was on her 3rd year in taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education, Major in Special Education at Colegio de Dagupan and was a consistent Dean’s Lister. But Rachele was no ordinary SPED major student. She was born with the inability to see the world.

“I believe that education is the key to success,” Rachele said when asked why she persevered.

Eagerness to learn

According to her father, Romeo Quirimit, Rachele has always been eager to learn and wanted to reach her dreams. As a child, she often asks her parents, “Why can’t I go to school like my ate and kuyas?” Her parents always answered, “Because you cannot see.”

As years passed by, a concerned neighbor spilled out the news that their barangay will be offering special education. In full support, Rachele’s parents immediately enrolled their daughter where she learned how to read and write through the Braille system.

On the next school year, Rachelle was finally enrolled in elementary, accompanied by her father. Because of her disability, she became a target for discrimination and even the faculty members belittled her capacity. However, Rachele’s faith was not shaken for she inculcated in her mind a bible verse, Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Rachele has been an outstanding student and was the Salutatorian of the batch in elementary. She continued her secondary education at Mangaldan National High School. It was quite a struggle for her at first because of her impairment but she is lucky enough to have good classmates who guided her whole-heartedly.

She was listening attentively to her teachers, jotting down and reading through Braille system, and asking for hand outs from her teachers. Her determination paid off as she graduated 5th honorable mention in the over-all regular class.

Rachele continued her journey. She wanted to pursue higher education and chose Bachelor of Elementary Education, Major in Special Education. But now, it was her sister, an employee at Colegio de Dagupan who accompanies her to school.

“… I’m taking up this course to teach children with special needs like me and to give them inspiration also …,” Rachele candidly said with a bright smile on her face.

Technology makes things possible for PWDs

Blessed as she said, a non-government organization called Resources for the Blind Inc., lent her a netbook where a screen reader called Non-Visual Desktop Access was installed which enables the vision impaired community to use computers. She took up seminars and mastered operating the netbook.

Unlike in her younger years, Rachele has been less dependent for she can make her own lesson plans, research, make PowerPoint presentations and can even keep in touch with her family and peers on Facebook using the said netbook.

An Inspiration

Rachele’s mother, Flor Quirimit, became emotional when asked to describe her daughter. She proudly said that Rachele is a very good, persistent, and hard-working daughter. She can also do chores like washing the dishes and folding her clothes even when her mother doesn’t require her to.

Rachele was an example that disability was not a hindrance in attaining education. She proved that there is hope beyond limitations.

Rachele said: “Study hard and never let the challenges overcome you, especially those who are physically complete and non-disabled.”