Disability no problem, says blind teacher
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Yoon Suh-hyang poses with her guide dog Lucy during a commencement ceremony at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul Feb. 25. / Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Yoon Suh-hyang, who was born blind, has never allowed her disability to keep her from achieving her dream of becoming a teacher.
But it might have been much harder, if not impossible, without help from her guide dog and best friend Lucy.
Lucy entered the university with Yoon four years ago at the age of two, and has been with her throughout the years.
On Feb. 25, when Yoon graduated from the Department of Education at Sookmyung Women’s University with the second-best academic performance, Lucy also received an honorary diploma.
Now Lucy is accompanying Yoon at Samseon Middle School, a regular school in Seoul, where Yoon took her first class on Tuesday.
“I always dreamed of being a teacher not in a school for the blind but in a regular school,” Yoon says. “I wanted to encourage many people like me to have hopes against all odds. Disability is not a problem for me at all. I want to be a teacher to inspire the young students to higher achievements.”
Yoon’s grade at Sookmyung averaged above 4.3 for her eight semesters. She did not seek special admission for the disabled, which the school had offered, but entered the through the regular admission program.
“I am the one who decided to study with students without disabilities,” she says. “I worked very hard on my studies, although I had to read Braille books for every subject.
“I wanted to show that disabled people can get academic achievements as much as ordinary people can.”
Of course she gives much credit to Lucy.
“Without Lucy, I couldn’t handle my college life or my study,” she says.
“She is also my best friend, who always listens to my concerns, so I would like to thank her for what she has done for me.”
Yoon believes strongly that young people with disabilities can realize their ambitions ― the secret is never to give up.
“Never quit, even if the going gets tough,” she says. “Then you will win.”