Mental health awakening - Emotional health surrounding visual impairment and related perceptions

Today on mental health awakening we are joined Justine she shares her story, this topic isn't spoken enough her description is down below... I am Justine, a singer/song writer and music producer and I have been visually impaired since birth. I was born with a rare condition called Septo-Optic Dysplasia; which in my case, means that I only have a very small amount of vision, an under active thyroid and didn’t start growing properly until I was five years old, with medical intervention. However, this rare condition affects everyone in different ways, though these are common side effects. Regardless of this however, my condition does not become me and what in many people’s eyes, is seen as a disability, becomes my ability and I am very passionate about helping others to learn and understand that there isn’t just one way of looking at and experiencing life. I’m especially passionate about helping the children of today, the adults and leaders of tomorrow; to see and understand this, so that we can create a more open minded and open hearted society. As a child and young adult, I went through many struggles which included, but were not limited to, being discriminated against when applying for jobs in childcare because employers saw my visual impairment as a problem; lack of understanding of my unique abilities in both mainstream and a special school; and being treated more like a child, rather than an equal by many. This is just a few things I’ve experienced, but there have also been some funny situations. I speak about some of these in one of my Youtube videos on the channel, Justine LH Projects. Since a very young age, music has always been a key part of my life and there have always been various singers I’ve been inspired by; which is why now, as an adult having gone through various linear experiences, I’m here as a singer myself, in order to connect, comfort and inspire other children and anyone in general who may have gone through, or may be going through similar experiences, which is why I am now also working on my first album. I always feel as though emotional health and visual impairment aren’t talked about enough and so by coming on this podcast, I intend to raise some awareness of this subject, so that others can begin to understand; which is why, the subject I’d like to discuss is emotional health surrounding visual impairment and related perceptions. We have learned so much today Justine, thank you for sharing with us, this was indeed a mental health awakening! See you next time!