Turning Darkness into Light: How I Broke Limits as a Teacher and Storyteller who is BLIND [My Introductory Post]

“Everything happens for a reason; good or bad, there’s always a lesson.” This is a reminder I tell myself whenever life goes in my favor or becomes challenging. I am a believer, and I know that there is a purpose behind everything that happens. I am Angeline Bernadette Pancho, from the beautiful city of Naga in the Philippines. I have faced many challenges in life, but people often describe me as smart, brave, and talented.

I was born with hydrocephalus in 2000, a condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the brain. I underwent a neurosurgery when ai was three months old, and because of that, I was able to live normally and happily. I felt like a real-life Disney princess as a child, third of 4 siblings, but everything changed when I had to undergo another surgery at 13 years old.
Then, I became BLIND. My optic nerves were swollen and damaged.

Losing my sight was difficult, as anyone can imagine. But, 11 years later, I have learned to see things differently. I can explore the world physically and imaginatively using my other senses left, go on beyond sight, expressing myself through writing stories, essays, and poetries. I also found myself fangirling over celebrities. I love listening to music, going to concerts, and getting the latest updates about them through social media.

You might wonder how a blind person uses a phone. Thanks to the accessibility features provided through screen readers, I can connect with the digital world and communicate with others.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education majoring in English, with the distinction of Cum Laude in 2023. I also passed my first attempt at the Licensure Examination for Teachers in 2024. I have a deep love for writing, influenced by my major subjects in college. As a naturally shy person, I often prefer writing over speaking.

I want to extend my gratitude to Miss Hive account@antonette and sir Hive account@chinito as my onboarders for inviting me to this platform. I met them in Facebook, and they have been accommodating to my needs and questions about this space. Moreover, I understand that using AI is strictly prohibited here, and engaging with others is greatly important, as we build a community through blogs and stories.

Rest assured that the photos and writings I share are all mine, and The photos used are edit through Canva.

I am so excited to share my experience as a blind girlie, my everyday life, to raise awareness about disabilities, and share some fun random stuff. I can’t wait to connect with you all!

— Angeline Bernadette 🩷