BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA - Haitian writer Jacques Romain once said- “Experience is the cane of the blind” and 8-year-old ‘blind from birth’ Indian- American Sheema Shaikh’s ‘journey through the dark’ feels the same. At such a young age, Shaikh, a resident of Corona, has grown to understand society at large and feels that more needs to be done...
LOS ANGELES, CA - Haitian writer Jacques Romain once said- “Experience is the cane of the blind” and 8-year-old ‘blind from birth’ Indian- American Sheema Shaikh’s ‘journey through the dark’ feels the same. At such a young age, Shaikh, a resident of Corona, has grown to understand society at large and feels that more needs to be done...
for the blind community. She in fact wants to be part of that struggle and be a beacon of hope for other girls like her.
Shaikh agrees that life is hard for kids like her as she has to feel things to understand surroundings, but that hasn’t stopped her from aiming high.
Recently, she was part of the Braille Challenge, hosted by the Braille Institute, which is the only national reading and writing contest in braille. This event is for the top 50 finalists from the US and Canada and interestingly Shaikh was one among the five students competing from California.
Even though she was unable to hit the mark, yet the day-long competition showcased her braille skills. Sergio Oliva, MPA, Director, Programs and Services at Braille Institute congratulated students like her by saying, “Braille Institute helps in honing socialization and self advocacy skills. We also explore ways and techniques to promote blind kids to come forward.” Surely, Shaikh’s struggle, passion and life is an inspiration to others. She definitely is hardworking, focused, committed and dedicated. “My only weakness is watching and playing on the tablet,” she meekly responds.
Shaikh goes to a regular school, Foothill Elementary in Corona, but the biggest challenge she faces everyday is that not many of her curriculum books are in braille and teachers have to braille those books for her sake, which is quite a hectic process. However, she says, “I am blessed to have such teachers around.” She further states, “At the age of 3, I started getting help from CNIB in Toronto, Canada; got the support from school distinct with Braille and O&M (orientation and mobility), it’s a challenge when you are the only blind person in class, but with the help of my family and teachers I am doing very well academically.”
Her day to day life is quite different from her peers as she has to work harder. Her only regret or resentment is, “If I could see and feel things differently.” For Shaikh the world is pure and safe and she adds, “This world is a beautiful place. I really don’t have much real experience as I am still very young and have never gone out alone, but yes sometimes people tend to forget that there is a disabled person around them and don’t give enough space,” she complains.
Talking about her family, Shaikh mentions about her overwhelming parents, who support her at every step, a loving brother who helps her keep the momentum and strive for more in life. “I get motivation from my family and teachers who always push me hard to go above and beyond in doing my work. I also draw inspiration from my grandparents in India.”
An avid reader, Shaikh loves both fiction and nonfiction. Her favorite collection of stories are of Dr Seuss. She is also passionate and ambitious and says, “One day I will do my MBA in Finance and work for some reputed financial institute.”
Shaikh agrees that life is hard for kids like her as she has to feel things to understand surroundings, but that hasn’t stopped her from aiming high.
Recently, she was part of the Braille Challenge, hosted by the Braille Institute, which is the only national reading and writing contest in braille. This event is for the top 50 finalists from the US and Canada and interestingly Shaikh was one among the five students competing from California.
Even though she was unable to hit the mark, yet the day-long competition showcased her braille skills. Sergio Oliva, MPA, Director, Programs and Services at Braille Institute congratulated students like her by saying, “Braille Institute helps in honing socialization and self advocacy skills. We also explore ways and techniques to promote blind kids to come forward.” Surely, Shaikh’s struggle, passion and life is an inspiration to others. She definitely is hardworking, focused, committed and dedicated. “My only weakness is watching and playing on the tablet,” she meekly responds.
Shaikh goes to a regular school, Foothill Elementary in Corona, but the biggest challenge she faces everyday is that not many of her curriculum books are in braille and teachers have to braille those books for her sake, which is quite a hectic process. However, she says, “I am blessed to have such teachers around.” She further states, “At the age of 3, I started getting help from CNIB in Toronto, Canada; got the support from school distinct with Braille and O&M (orientation and mobility), it’s a challenge when you are the only blind person in class, but with the help of my family and teachers I am doing very well academically.”
Her day to day life is quite different from her peers as she has to work harder. Her only regret or resentment is, “If I could see and feel things differently.” For Shaikh the world is pure and safe and she adds, “This world is a beautiful place. I really don’t have much real experience as I am still very young and have never gone out alone, but yes sometimes people tend to forget that there is a disabled person around them and don’t give enough space,” she complains.
Talking about her family, Shaikh mentions about her overwhelming parents, who support her at every step, a loving brother who helps her keep the momentum and strive for more in life. “I get motivation from my family and teachers who always push me hard to go above and beyond in doing my work. I also draw inspiration from my grandparents in India.”
An avid reader, Shaikh loves both fiction and nonfiction. Her favorite collection of stories are of Dr Seuss. She is also passionate and ambitious and says, “One day I will do my MBA in Finance and work for some reputed financial institute.”
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