Blind college student graduates magna cum laude from PNU

Like most of the Philippine Normal University graduates who marched last April 5, Erick Marco Ramos had to overcome a lot of challenges to finally get his diploma. Unlike most graduates, however, Ramos’ challenge was overcoming his disability. 

 

You see, he's almost completely blind.  

Still this didn't stop him from graduating with a magna cum laude to his name. It’s not so much that Ramos is a blind student, or just a student who happens to be blind. The thing is, he also happens to be brilliant. 

 

Aside from graduating with Latin honors in BSE English, he studied for a year in the United States under the Fulbright program. He's also a volunteer teacher at a computer school for the blind, a member of their college debate team, and a creative writer.

 

Surprised by award

 

Ramos has had trouble seeing since birth, and gradually started to lose his vision when he was in his teens. By the time he lost his functional sight at age 20, he was already expecting it. The award from the academe came as a total surprise, though.

 

“It was a shock to begin with,” he shared. Ramos explained that he never thought he would be considered, because he didn’t know if his year in the States would be counted as part of his record.

 

When he finally marched on the stage to receive the award though, the initial shock gave way to acceptance and gratefulness.

 

“I felt na it was all worth it,” he told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

 

It would seem that vision loss is only a minor setback for Ramos. Now, armed with a computer that converts text to speech, Ramos seems poised to conquer the world. He remembers the challenges he faced while doing his practice teaching, but it was more of a culture shock for his students than anything else. 

 

On teaching, he said, “wala masyadong difference,” explaining that it’s even easier now because he can use multimedia materials. 

 

Ramos has always wanted to be a teacher, and he is now applying for jobs at several schools, including the one where he took his internship.

 

Out of the dark ages

 

Being born with vision however, it was never very easy for Ramos. His coming-of-age had been marked not only by the typical teenage angst, but by a gradual vision loss that left him depressed. 

 

“I jokingly called it the dark ages. I was going through the vision loss, it was a bit discouraging,” he said.

 

However, he got through it with the help of his family and friends, as well as the support of people who were facing similar situations.

 

“It got easier because I had a support group. I knew people who were going through the same thing. . . I’m thankful because I have supportive parents,” he shared.

 

Along with his parents, Ramos weathered the challenges of learning how to live with visual impairment, including several rejections from schools who didn’t or couldn’t cater to his special needs. Now, Ramos wants to make sure that other students who are facing a similar predicament will receive the same opportunities and support he did. 

 

He has been volunteering at ATRIEV, a computer school for the blind, since 2008. 

 

His word of advice for those facing similar challenges, and not just for people with disabilities: know what you want and pursue it.

 

“Knowing how to get what you want is important. Be sure to know what you want,” he said.

 

As an afterthought, he says: “Know what you have going for you.”

 

Ramos certainly knew what he had going for him--that is, brains, a heart, a great support system, and, despite blindness, unwavering vision. – KDM/YA, GMA News