Hello Everyone,

Welcome to The Invisible Vision Project’s Blog.

Today is a special day, because, it’s MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! And not only that, it’s my 30th birthday!!! That’s right, I’m 30 years old today! Although, if you see me in real life, or in photos, I look nowhere near 30. (haha!). Anyhow, I’m excited, excited to begin this new chapter of my life, to move forward, and, to finally join the “30th club.” Since today is such a special day, I’ll use this occasion to make a reflection, on what I’ve learned, and what I deem important in my life.

Life is not easy, living is not easy. But because it’s hard, it’s so worth it to keep living. Thinking about today, that I was born 30 years ago, which was on January 20th, 1990 (by the way, it was a Saturday). That may seemed like a long time ago (and yes, it is), but it’s also really not that long. Why? Because time flies! Over the last couple of days, I’ve been flipping through my photo albums from my early childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood, to see not only the physical changes as I went through, but also, the maturity as I grow and age. I then realized, that I came from a long way, and I still got a long way to go.

I won’t deny that I’ve dealt with a lot of hard things in life, and even since at a very young age, that included of having a visual impairment as well as an ill health. But, because of the hardships that I went through, they made me a much stronger person I am today. And for that, I’m both thankful and grateful. Because of these difficulties, they shaped me to continue to fight for my life, and to never give up. Let’s say, if I were to have an easier life, I probably wouldn’t have that much strength and the will to fight for my life, and I probably would be a person that gives up very easily. And certainly, I wouldn’t want to be like that. I think, I have a very strong will, a will to live a happy and fulfilled life. This will is even stronger, when I live, not only just for myself, but also for those that I love as well.

However, I’ll also add that, I wasn’t someone that was always strong-willed and accepted my fate. I had many years of denial as well- denying my fate. Between the age of 15 to around 25, at the time, I wanted nothing more than to live a “normal life.” (At least, my imaginary version of normal). I denied a lot of things about my life, and especially, the fact that I was different, and that I needed help. But quickly, my fate had other plans. At 25, I had to come out of my shell, and accept my visual impairment, and soon after, I began my life as a chronically ill person. In which, both of these acceptances didn’t come easy, but were necessary.

But all in all, I’m thankful. Thankful for 30 years of life. Thankful for finding my true self, and for feeling absolutely OK with who I am now. I’m also thankful for the difficulties I faced and will continue to face in life. And of course, I’m more thankful and grateful, (that words cannot describe), of the opportunities and the wonderful people I met in life, those that have taught me to be OK with who I am, and accept me for who I am, even when I refused to accept and love myself. As I have said already, I’ve come a long way, and still got a long way to go. And I will, keep going!

By: The Invisible Vision Project