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me before the accident on my yellow blouseI am twenty-eight now, and the last eight years of my life have been much different than I could ever have imagined at the beginning of 2002. At that time, I was a graduating college student scheduled to receive the Bachelor in Computer Technology at the University of Southeastern Philippines at the end of March, 2002. I loved my family and they loved me, and I had a wonderful boyfriend who had been with me for three years. I imagined our life together and my working career.
Then, on the night of February 16, 2002, my boyfriend and I were riding in a car with my father, going home after picking up my younger sister from her JS Prom, when we came upon a road construction site that had no flares or warning devices. Trying to avoid the hazard, my father lost control of the car and we crashed.
me with Fr. Bebot and friends at the hospital 2 months after the accidentMy boyfriend had only some minor facial bruises and my sister was not seriously hurt. My father had to undergo major surgery and was on crutches for almost six months as he recovered. But I was more seriously injured, and would spend almost four months in my hospital bed. Initially the doctors gave me only a 70/30 chance to even survive. There were bandages all over my body, but the worst trauma was to my face and head. There were many stitches to repair the lacerations. There was a tracheostomy tube in my throat to let me breathe and multiple jaw fractures and displaced teeth, so there were braces and wires to support them, and I could not speak or eat. I could only communicate with people through writing or by making signs. There was an NG tube to feed me (a "nasogastric" tube, through one nostril and down into my stomach) and I could not take any solid foods for four months.
And, I was blind. The doctors said that my eyes were so badly damaged that they could not be saved – that if they had been left, they would have only become infected and the infection would likely have spread to my brain and killed me, so my family had to agree to have my eyes removed. So from that moment in February, I am completely and permanently blind and my eyes are both artificial. (We have said, better to lose my sight than to lose my life, although it almost sure I would never have been able to see with my eyes, even if they could have been saved.)
Knowing that I could so readily have died, I am grateful to God that I’m alive right now. He gave me a second chance to live. He never left us, and even sent instruments to help my family go through this tragedy. While still in the hospital my family and my boyfriend never left me, and my friends, professors, relatives, and neighbors were there to give me enormous support. They all made me feel so special, and that gave me an assurance that I wasn’t alone.
My eagerness in life has motivated me to move on. The university decided to award me my diploma because I already had completed my thesis and met all my requirements before the accident happened. As soon as my fractured legs were healed and I was discharged from the hospital, I went to the Davao School and Rehabilitation for Visually Impaired. There, I studied Braille, even while having seven reconstructive surgeries on my jaws. Once I had learned how to write and read Braille, they endorsed me to the Rotary Foundation Computer Skills Training Center to pursue my studies in computers. It enabled me to apply all my knowledge and skills on computers as a university graduate in computer technology. The Rotary then introduced me to the UCCP Social Concern Foundation for my Mobility Orientation. While having my studies in Rotary, I also went to Resources for the Blind, Inc. for my further studies in computer and for my personal needs like Braille paper, Braille magazines, and others.
In 2006, I took the 6-month computer literacy course in ATRIEV. Away from my family for the first time, I tried my best to brave the city life in Manila. I completed my ATRIEV training and I was awarded the “U21 Global Student of the Year for 2006.” After graduation, I was given transcription work by ATRIEV. At present, I am the main transcriptionist for ATRIEV’s account with the Philippine Olympic Committee. Even now as I am back in Davao, I still continue to receive transcription work where I earn even from home. Training with ATRIEV in Manila gives me new career options and gives me a more optimistic attitude toward my future.
There have been trials and struggles, however. My boyfriend stayed with me through the early times and supported me tremendously in putting my life back together. Unfortunately, after 2 years, things changed. We lost communication and decided to move on after a relationship of more than five years. All the sacrifices and the faithful love ended in nothing. I was hurt and sad, but no choice but to move on.
God will never give us a trial more than what we can handle. I’ve met new friends and they continue to be here for me. I thank God because I came to know them through my situation. They all helped me in my financial, emotional, physical and spiritual struggles.
I feel so blessed and thankful that God put me into this situation because through my disability I’ve come to know special people and new friends. And I have received opportunities and gained achievements that I never had when I was still sighted.( These opportunities even brought me to Manila where I rode on a plane for the very first time.)
Right now, I can already manage to walk by myself using my cane. I am now also equipped with some of the latest technologies for the blind. I now have a personal computer with JAWS and a Nokia 6600 cell phone with Mobile Speak. These devices were all gifts from the people I’ve met because of my disability. It helps me to become more independent in my life. It has been the biggest part of my success right now. I can navigate through computers, surf in the net, check my email, chatting with friends using a screen reader and even texting. Without this aids, I won’t be able to work independently. I’m also proud to say that I can still manage to bake some cakes and pastries. Now I know that even though I am blind, I can still do things a person without a disability do – that disability is not a hindrance to your success. It is only my eyes that are gone.
Last August 2009 was my first corporate world experience, as I worked as a voicemail transcriptionist at Gallop IT Solutions in Ortigas, Pasig City. Unfortunately, the company closed two of their accounts, and one of those accounts was the one that we were using. I had thought it was already the fulfillment of my dreams.
Right now, back in Davao again and moving on with my life, I am still doing POC transcription jobs from ATRIEV, still earning while I’m at home. I am currently enrolled on a medical transcription course with a scholarship grant of TESDA and Rotary Club of Matina-Davao, carrying all the learning, skills and memories that I have gained with my Gallop IT experience.
Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan and purpose. He has plans for us even before we were born. In Christ we can do all things because He is the one who will provide us the strength to face anything that comes our way. I don’t see my disability as a hindrance to my success; instead I see it as a challenge to strive better. In 2008, discerning to become a nun, I went for a search-in at Sisters of Christian Charity. I stayed there for almost a year, but, in God’s will and plan, I left the convent last March. All we have to do is surrender our lives to the Most High, our Lord Jesus Christ. Have faith and trust in Him and He will do the rest.
My living without my eyes now is my cross that I will carry on for the rest of my life. But this cross becomes a blessing in my life. It helps me to experience the love of my family, relatives, neighbors and friends. It helps me realize that God is good and He really does miracles here on earth. Though He didn’t restore my sight, he never left me in the midst of my struggles. He showered me with lots of blessings so I can live with my disability without difficulty. Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan. And one of His plans for me is to be in my situation right now. Right now I have so much joy, love, care and blessings from God. I believe that I have become a blessings to others because of the inspiration they feel when they see how I have been facing this life’s challenges.
me at my work station at Gallop... still pretty and simple as always... hahahaha!
