Against all odds A/L success for twin sisters born blind
At a time when children sans any physical deformities, complain of shortcomings, visually impaired twin sisters have overcome their inborn disability, becoming shining examples of perseverance to achieve success at the GCE A/L.
They are W Sanduni Keshala Thamell and W. Rukshani Mekala of Mundalama Maha Vidayalaya, who offered Sinhala, Po l i t i c a l Science and Christianity, and used Braille at the A/L Exam.
Saduni Keshela secured the 8th place in the Puttalam District.
One of them was born completely blind, while the other girl ’ s eyesight is largely impaired, but she too is unable to walk at all with her feeble legs.
Their maternal grandfather who took great pains, amidst all their hardships, was of great help to the twins, and is extremely happy over their achievement. "My two grand daughters were born visually handicapped. One girl can't even walk. As they began to show certain talents in early childhood, I was determined to give them a good education. The first step was when a lady teacher, Mrs Neela, asked us to anyhow teach them, as they will have a bright future."
"First I took them to school on my bicycle.Then on an old motorbike. Later, as they grew up, it became difficult. Then I took them to school in a three-wheeler, though it was no easy task for me. But now, if anyone comes to their aid, it will be a great meritorious act because, I could then happily breathe my last."
Sanduni Keshala said, "Though we were both born blind, we were not worried about it because, instead of trying to regain what we had lost, we were determined to get as much as we could from our lives. For this, our parents and our grandfather were a great source of courage to us. It hurts to think how our grandfather toiled on our behalf. We rewarded him by our achievements."
"In the same way, our Principal and the A/L teachers, disregarding our disabilities, gave us a good education. Hence, our message to society is, "While studying, don't grumble for material things. We even did our A/L without the relevant textbooks. If we let our problems overtake us, we would never have come thus far."
Pricncipal W. Kumarasuriya said, "These two children are very talented. Dedication of the teachers helped them achieve this. We appeal to the society at large who have everything, to spare a thought for these two girls." Text & Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe