My DID experience is entitled as ‘The blinds colors of life.’

Before stepping into DID, I had this preconceived notion that the visually handicapped are a group of people whose lives are filled with dull colors. I do not mean in a literal sense that they are unable to see and therefore they do not get to experience bright colors. Instead, my thoughts are that these people tend to see the dull side in life which stems from the constant injustice that they feel due to their disability.

However, I beg to differ after my insightful experience. This is because the visually handicapped in DID showed me the wonderful colors of life. The visually handicapped are just like anyone of us, whose lives are filled with an array of colors. They are driven people who aim to live life to the fullest in spite of their disability. Hence, their supposed handicap does not pose as an obstacle for them if they persevere till the end.

Now, I shall share my DID experience that led me to this conclusion.

At the start of our DID program, my group had the opportunity to play some DID activities before stepping into the darkness. First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the activities gave us a glimpse on what it is like to be visually handicapped. During the activities, I tasted the wrong flavor of sweets and I could not figure out certain alphabets based on my sense of touch. Stepping into their shoes reaffirmed my initial thoughts on the tremendous amount of difficulties faced by visually handicapped.

Soon, it was time to enter the darkness. A timid person like me tingled with a potent mix of fear and apprehension at the start of the journey. But, as we progressed on in the darkness with Jason, our visually handicapped guide, he quelled my fear with his constant encouragement. When we reached the end, Jason shared with us his life journey, and I was truly inspired by him. His positive spirit stirred my guilty conscience as I perpetually harped on trivial matters in life that is totally not worth expanding time and energy on as life has so much more to offer.

In my opinion, DID Singapore is a social enterprise that will give a new look to Singapore Social Enterprises as DID is a new concept whereby the beneficiaries are not only at the receiving end but are also responsible for the growth of the social enterprise. Hence it works both ways. It promotes the ideology of social enterprises and that is, we are not charitable organizations, but we are a business entity which aims to do business with a social purpose.

As regards to the BZSE and PCS students, DID acts as a platform to rediscover our objectives for both courses. For the PCS students DID will give them the opportunity to interact with the visually handicapped, thus having the taste of working with people of disabilities. Through this interaction, they may possibly ponder on what they can do to reach out to people with disabilities. As a student in BZSE, DID poses to me as a stepping stone to being a social entrepreneur, as I can put myself in a social entrepreneur’s shoes, hence thinking like one. With DID, BZSE students can practice on what they have learn, and gain the plentiful experience that we need as a BZSE student.

As a social enterprise model, I think there is a large pool of potential waiting to be unleashed and this mission is the responsibility of BZSE students. I feel that the BZSE students can contribute to DID social enterprise in a few areas. For example, we can devise methods to increase the publicity of DID in Singapore. BZSE students can volunteer for internships in DID as it will be a good chance to learn the ropes of being a social entrepreneur. Besides, we can plan events for DID to increase awareness in Ngee Ann itself. Essentially, my idea is for the BZSE students to be the walking ambassadors of DID! As, I strongly believe that the BZSE students have to believe that DID can work in order for DID social enterprise to expand to greater heights.

Amanda Neo

BZSE YEAR 2 STUDENT

CLASS T01