Model Justice Bale on destigmatising blindness
JUSTICE Bale has secured a spot as a finalist in the Face of Humanity pageantry and discusses his advocacy for the destigmatisation of blindness, highlighting that he does not want people to use the condition as a selling point.
He says when he received the devastating news about his eyesight being permanently damaged, it was heartbreaking, and he had to accept that his life had changed entirely.
Having undergone about 13 operations in attempts to regain his vision, Bale decided he would remain optimistic and still go after his dreams and aspirations.
The model from Kempton Park said that initially, he had no interest in pageantry or modelling, but someone close convinced him that he had all that it takes to strut the runways.
“This year, in March, I was tricked into joining the Face of Humanity pageant. So I gave it a shot. I paid my registration, and since then I have been on this pageantry journey.
“And I am looking forward to many more things to come next year. This year it’s just pageantry, and next year I want to focus on high fashion,” said Bale.
Bale shared details about being a finalist in the competition and about when he took a risk and entered pageantry for the first time.
“I went there with a blank mind, to be honest. I took a big risk. And the funny part is that I didn’t even sell my blindness to them. I just went there, and the organiser only realised that I am blind two weeks ago.”
He says he does not like making his blindness a selling point; he says he takes to the streets as any other person does.
Bale spoke about his advocacy, saying he wants to remove the stigmas, particularly those surrounding the condition of being blind.
“I want to create a world of peace, love and happiness. If I win Face of Humanity, I want to be a guy who gives people support in whatever they do. We all need someone to push us to a particular level. So I want to be that push to someone else.
“I want to be that guy, even if I am not on the silver screen, to help someone get to the silver screen. I want to develop a nation of successful youth and bring hope to people.”
On December 17, Bale will face off with other hopefuls for the Face of Humanity title at a prestigious event that will see one of them take the coveted title home.