Visually-impaired student graduates from college

A 28-year-old visually impaired student was among the 500 students who graduated from the College of Commerce and Business Administration of the University of Santo Tomas this year.

According to Bernadette Reyes's report in "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, Jerome Santiago was only one year old when he was diagnosed with Congenital Glaucoma.

Despite undergoing a series of operations, Jerome fully lost his eyesight at nine years old.

Jerome said it was a challenge to keep up with other students in school due to his condition.

"'Yung greatest difficulty with dealing with visual materials sa mga lessons like graphs so I always ask assistance from my professors and classmates," the financial management graduate said.

But through Braille or touch-based alphabet for visually impaired people, as well as advanced technology, Jerome was able to study despite his condition.

One of his professors in college, Associate Professor Elizabeth Vivien Magbata, described the 28 year-old as a "diligent" student who always studies well.

"Ang nakakatuwa, talagang masikap. Talagang inaalam ang mga lessons bagamat may mga adjustment kaming ginawa," she said.

Jerome also shared that the biggest challenge he and his family faced is the discrimination from other people.

"Meron talagang tao na para bang tingin nila 'yung mas mataas self nila kaysa mga taong may disability in general. Kasi kahit may disability ang tao meron pa rin ma'am siyang worth, meron pa rin naman siyang abilities," he said. 

Despite this, his mom Helen decided to ignore these judgements and continued to support her son.

"Nasasaktan din ako, meron din kasing mga tao na 'di makaintindi ng kalagayan nila pero hayaan mo lang sila basta go on," she said.

For Jerome, graduation is a reminder that even physically challenged people like him will succeed in life.

"Trust your abilities and believe in yourself and sa mga panahon nandoon inaccesibillity and challenge as visually impared student," he said. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News