Written by: Abbass Abbass
My name is Abbass Abbass. I was born in the city of Nazareth in the north of the country. When I was still a little baby, my parents discovered that I had a problem with my eyes – a genetic condition that causes my vision to weaken over time, to the point that I might eventually lose my sight completely.
I was born into a very warm and loving family. My parents loved me deeply, supported me every step of the way, and never made me feel different or weaker than others. They always told me: “You can do it!” – despite the difficulties, and they truly believed it.
But outside the home, it wasn’t always easy. People didn’t always understand what visual impairment means. Some treated me as if I were helpless, or as if I wouldn’t be able to succeed at anything. Naturally, that hurt me.
Luckily, I studied at an excellent school – Saint Joseph. My teachers there were wonderful. They helped me, supported me, and adapted the learning environment so that I too could succeed. And indeed, I did well in all subjects! But sometimes that success came with pressure. My parents really wanted me to excel – perhaps to prove to the world that despite the impairment, I was capable. And I truly put in the effort, because I felt I had to succeed to “make up” for my visual disability.
At school, I had both great experiences and some that weren’t so pleasant. There were amazing friends who loved me, helped me, and made me laugh, but there were also those who mocked me because of my thick glasses, calling me names like “Four-Eyes.” Sometimes I felt sad, especially when I couldn’t participate in gym classes or school trips.
But life taught me never to give up. One day, when I was thirteen, my whole family traveled to Disneyland in France. I went on all the rides without fear! That’s when I realized something important: I don’t need perfect vision to enjoy life.
When I was young, I loved riding bicycles. But in sixth grade, my father had to take the bike away because my vision had deteriorated, and biking became dangerous. That broke my heart. But a few years later, when I was already an adult, I decided to bring cycling back into my life in a different way: I started a project called “Tandem Riding” – where a sighted rider sits in front and a visually impaired rider sits behind, both on a tandem bike. It’s one of my favorite projects.
Today, I run an organization called AlManarah – meaning “The Lighthouse.” Just like a lighthouse guides ships at sea, we strive to light the way for people with visual and other disabilities. In the organization, we do many meaningful things: we record audio books so that even those who can’t see well can listen to stories, textbooks, and songs. We also produce podcasts, run emotional support groups, empowerment workshops, and enrichment classes. We even organize summer camps and trips for children with disabilities, so they can feel that they’re capable of doing everything – just like anyone else.
One of the most important things we teach is that every person has value – no matter how they look, hear, walk, or see. Everyone can dream, and everyone can achieve their dreams.
And I must not forget to mention my most loyal companion – Spencer, my guide dog. He truly is my eyes: he walks with me everywhere, helps me navigate, keeps me safe, and beyond that – he gives me so much love.
My life has taught me that every difficulty can become an opportunity to grow. Don’t be afraid to be yourselves, and never forget – each one of us is unique in our own way. Just never give up!
