From Scars to Stars

In life, we have the ability to turn our stumbling blocks into, stepping-stones. In my twenties, life pulled the plug on my aspirations of earning a degree, or so it seemed. I was plunged into a sea of uncertainty as I unexpectedly lost most of my sight. At first, I was devastated.

In time realized that I cannot change the fact that I only had 3% sights left. I do still have the power to change my attitude. I sold everything I owned and relocated to London. I embarked on my journey as a student studying for a degree in business management.

The education provider I used at the time was made aware of my visual impairment and I was promised all the support I would need. This never materialized. I informed them that a hard copy question paper in size 16 font, was not adequate. I would require an electronic copy. I received the following reply: “Miss Robberts if you can’t read the hard copy, we believe the problem does not lie with your sight but rather with your brain being inculpable to process the information.”

I was forced to change my educational provider. This added two more years to my studies. There were many days I wanted to give up.

My journey as a student started in 2005 and I am very proud to say that 12 years later, a 42-year-old me, graduated with a Masters Degree in Project Leadership and Design. Following this, I have been offered a full scholarship to do my PhD at the University of Chester in England.

I have a message to the man who claimed my brain had limited abilities: “Dear Sir, call me blind but the only limit I can see is your lack of vision.”