Blind teen excels in school, sports

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen-year-old Aleeia Maclit IV was born blind but her disability did not stop her from excelling in school and sports.

Except for her walking stick and cloudy eyes, nobody would think that Aleeia is blind. She possesses courage and confidence that are hard to find even in sighted children.

Aleeia said she wants to become a journalist.

She joined the 36th Young Metro Manila Writers’ Conference and Contests (YMMWCC) organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) at the Highway Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City on Nov. 14.

Aleeia competed with 159 aspiring student-writers in the Filipino News category.

“I want to be a reporter because I want to expose what is happening in our country,” she said.

She is concerned about the tanim-bala scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“I don’t want to blame the porters and airport screeners but it’s making the people paranoid. People are afraid to go to the airport, thinking that bullets will be planted in their bags,” Aleeia said.

She is interested in current events and listens to the news every day.

“I may be blind but I know what is happening around me,” she said.

Despite her disability, Aleeia is enrolled in a regular class.

When she was in Grade 2, Aleeia pioneered the “inclusion” program at the Barangka Elementary School in Barangka, Marikina City.

It was not easy at first but Aleeia prevailed with the help of her family and teachers. Her elder sister, Sherrizah Aiath Maclit-Martin, raised her when their mother passed away in 2010.

Now in Grade 6, Aleeia continues to excel in academics and sports. 

Last week, she participated in the DepEd’s Division Palaro where she won two gold medals for shot put and 100-meter dash and a silver medal for standing long jump.

A month before the opening of classes, Sherrizah would borrow Aleeia’s text books from her teachers so she could bring it to the DepEd main office in Pasig City for the printing of the Braile version. She also gets learning materials from the Resources for the Blind Institute in Quezon City.

“Aleeia has to study in advance so that she would not be left out in her classes,” Sherrizah said.

Aleeia has learned to use a laptop with voice-operated application to do research on her subjects.

The youngest of three, Sherrizah said Aleeia can do household chores except ironing clothes and cooking.

She can bathe and wear her uniform by herself.

“We don’t want her to be treated special because we still want her to live a normal life and to be independent. We just have to lead her sometimes because she could not see,” Sherrizah said.