APH 150th Anniversary Essay Contest
First Place Winner: Grades 3-5
Mohamed Hadi Somji
WHY ME, WHY NOT?
On October 17th, a blushing baby was born to the tropical breeze of African land. In three day's time, the newborn suffered from hypoglycemia, damaging his nerves, visually impairing him for life. Devastated, his parents fled to London for immediate treatment. No treatment could be performed, leaving them to pray for his well-being and success. Realizing their child would not be given opportunities in Africa, they moved to America to unlock his potential.
The move was extremely hard to adapt, and I was put into a school feeling odd and helpless, amidst regular people. At that moment, I wished to be like them. I wished to be able to see, to play games, to read. I opened my eyes to see this was never possible since I was legally blind. When I arrived home that day, mom had ordered APH products from a catalog provided by the Division of Blind Services. Soon, I received books with large print, an electronic magnifier, a visual globe, and a talking book player! I started to glow inside, and felt as if I had a chance to be independent. Why couldn't I be the next scientist, or the greatest writer? Why me, why not?