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A day in the life of the visually impaired

Although they cannot see, many continue to live normal and independent lives, holding down desk jobs and enjoying indoor activities as well as sports.

Photographs by Djohan Shahrin

A group of visually impaired individuals cross a road in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
A group of visually impaired individuals cross a road in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Some do what they can to make a living by selling small items like tissue paper along the sidewalks of the capital city.
Some do what they can to make a living by selling small items like tissue paper along the sidewalks of the capital city.
Others go table to table at restaurants and eateries, hoping to find customers sympathetic to their plight.
Others go table to table at restaurants and eateries, hoping to find customers sympathetic to their plight.
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For Mohd Zamha Abd Wahab, this has been his life since he was a teenager of 17.
For Mohd Zamha Abd Wahab, this has been his life since he was a teenager of 17.
He attended a school for special needs in Setapak and then took up physiotherapy at a college in Cyberjaya. Today, he works as a massage therapist at a reflexology centre in Sungai Besi.
He attended a school for special needs in Setapak and then took up physiotherapy at a college in Cyberjaya. Today, he works as a massage therapist at a reflexology centre in Sungai Besi.
His colleague, Azril Che Ibrahim, is also visually impaired but uses the computer on a regular basis by utilising the voice software assistance.
His colleague, Azril Che Ibrahim, is also visually impaired but uses the computer on a regular basis by utilising the voice software assistance.
Zamha also uses WhatsApp to check for customer bookings, navigating his phone by using the software available for the physically disabled.
Zamha also uses WhatsApp to check for customer bookings, navigating his phone by using the software available for the physically disabled.
In his spare time, he plays games on his phone, including his favourite game, chess. This, he plays by following the instructions given to him by his smart phone.
In his spare time, he plays games on his phone, including his favourite game, chess. This, he plays by following the instructions given to him by his smart phone.
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On his days off from work, Zamha wakes up early to go jogging with his friends in Cheras. He was once a football player and even represented the country as part of the team for the visually impaired.
On his days off from work, Zamha wakes up early to go jogging with his friends in Cheras. He was once a football player and even represented the country as part of the team for the visually impaired.
Today, he is retired and spends his time training new recruits.
Today, he is retired and spends his time training new recruits.
He is adept at using his cane to navigate his surroundings, and has no trouble making his way up and down the stairs at his flat.
He is adept at using his cane to navigate his surroundings, and has no trouble making his way up and down the stairs at his flat.
He often visits his friends and spends happy hours playing video games with them.
He often visits his friends and spends happy hours playing video games with them.
Because he cannot see the screen, Zamha plays by listening to the voice of the commentator.
Because he cannot see the screen, Zamha plays by listening to the voice of the commentator.
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Razlan Ibrahim Mokhtar meanwhile works at a technology company and has a marketing degree from the University of South Australia.
Razlan Ibrahim Mokhtar meanwhile works at a technology company and has a marketing degree from the University of South Australia.
He was once part of the Australian goalball team, representing several states in the sport. This picture of him and his team was taken after they won the gold medal in the Australian Goalball competition in 2017.
He was once part of the Australian goalball team, representing several states in the sport. This picture of him and his team was taken after they won the gold medal in the Australian Goalball competition in 2017.
He works by using screen reader software as well as an external device which helps him translate things into Braille.
He works by using screen reader software as well as an external device which helps him translate things into Braille.
He loves playing with Lego, building vehicles and structures with the help of his wife, Nadia.
He loves playing with Lego, building vehicles and structures with the help of his wife, Nadia.
He uses his sense of touch as well as Nadia's instructions to carefully complete each new project.
He uses his sense of touch as well as Nadia's instructions to carefully complete each new project.
Each completed model is a small but important victory for him.
Each completed model is a small but important victory for him.
Razlan also enjoys playing chess with Nadia.
Razlan also enjoys playing chess with Nadia.
Even outdoor activities such as swimming are not out of the question for Razlan.
Even outdoor activities such as swimming are not out of the question for Razlan.
While life is a challenge for Razlan and others like him who are visually impaired, they are determined to live each day to the fullest.
While life is a challenge for Razlan and others like him who are visually impaired, they are determined to live each day to the fullest.