If you cannot see the stars does not mean you cannot reach for them. This statement has guided Ranjesh Prakash in the way he has lived his life.
Ranjesh is visually impaired yet he believes everything is possible in this world.
Growing up he experienced financial difficulties, he encountered accommodation challenges, and he also found it very challenging to find a job because of his impairment. However, instead of giving up, Ranjesh found his challenges the reason to make a difference and be an inspiration to others, with an impairment or not.
“My mum struggled a lot in her life to support us. But you know what? She never gave up. And the fact that she did such a phenomenal job as a single parent, I suppose, is just extraordinary.
“I think that it’s from my mum where I acquire the never give up/ never say no characteristic,” Ranjesh said
He attended Fiji School for the Blind where he was blessed to learn how to read and write with a teacher who was also visually impaired. Ranjesh later he attended DAV (Dayanand Anglo Vedic) College to complete his high school education.
He also completed a trade diploma in office administration at the Fiji National University and a diploma in liberal studies at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.
As a youth, Ranjesh became involved in elite sport and found training had its advantages.
“Fuata Faktaufon trained with me. I realised I had a talent and I wanted to do sport more and more. He taught me tips and tricks that became very helpful later when I became involved in elite sport,” Ranjesh said.
“Despite all the barriers and adversities I faced, I managed to successfully complete my secondary education in 2010 and in 2012 I successfully completed a trade diploma in office administration.
“Sports training gave me the courage, focus and determination that what I could do on the tracks I could do in my study. Through sport, my performance at school was enhanced,” he said.
Recently, Ranjesh completed his Bachelor’s Degree in international development studies at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.
“Providing accessibility is essential for the complete inclusion of persons with a disability. Eradicating restricting or disabling barriers and guaranteeing inclusive access plays an important role in generating opportunities for people with a disability to contribute in development agendas,” Ranjesh said
Ranjesh believes that for all persons with disability; education, employment, independence and social inclusion are the keys to a brighter future.
“I think that the times are changing. I’m sure that you would have seen that there are evermore persons with impairment attaining university level qualification which is an outstanding achievement in itself,” Ranjesh said
And this is the message he sends out to all the other aspiring visually impaired students wishing to further their tertiary education.
“Never let anyone tell you that you are worthless. Instead turn around, face them and say ‘give me a chance and I will take it away from you’.
“Remember that you are wonderfully and fearfully made and you cannot constitute your life based on other people’s assumptions and attitudes. We all have dignity which is innate. Never let anyone take that away from you”
