meet our educator / guides!
Melissa Yeo
About Melissa:
Hi! My name is Melissa. I lost my eyesight due to retina detachment 17 years ago, when I was aged 35, and now, totally blind. Contrary to popular belief, I am not seeing complete darkness, despite the fact that I have no light perception. I am able to see shades of white, black, green and red occasionally, but they have no representation whatsoever.
I am a mother of 3 wonderful daughters. When I lost my sight, they were merely 6, 4 and 3 years old. Losing my sight was undoubtedly a major life event, especially when it was unanticipated. Nonetheless, this did not and will not stop me from living my best life in the present day.
I continue to work, cook, socialise and learn despite my disability.
I hope for everyone to be educated on disabilities and the people alike- that we have the yearning to learn, the necessity to have financial independence, and the need to belong.
I have optimism and faith that able-bodied people will have the opportunity to interact with people with disabilities as time goes by, eventually seeing us as individuals who are capable of great things. Even if those great things might have some hurdles of adaptation, technology and with the need of social support.
I believe that the world will continue to grow into a more inclusive place, and I implore you to be the start of it! Let’s grow and move forward together.
Sebastian Quek
Hi, I’m Sebastian, and I am 50 years old. I live with glaucoma, one of the world's leading causes of blindness. This disease causes fluid to build up in the eye, raising intraocular pressure until it gradually damages the optic nerve and deteriorates vision.
I first noticed issues nearly 30 years ago while I was in polytechnic—classroom slides looked far too bright and blurry. After seeking a check-up, I was diagnosed with high eye pressure. At the time, I felt like I was losing my sight, my independence, my social life, and even a part of myself.
And that leads me to the present. I am an outgoing person who loves to socialise, catch up with friends and family, and engage in outdoor sports. I maximise my time by moving around a lot, often taking brisk walks with my three-year-old Labrador guide dog, Vogue. I am also a proud father to two children, aged 13 and 17.
My disability has fostered resilience, independence, and strong problem-solving skills. As PWDs, we constantly adapt to everyday challenges in a world not designed for us. This is why we need the support of our peers and community—we must acknowledge both our strengths and our weaknesses.
I rely on technology in various ways, and it's amazing how far it has come to help me regain most of the independence I had lost.
My journey taught me that resilience isn’t about denying difficulties or pretending to be strong. It’s about accepting change, adapting, and having the courage to embrace help. For me, that resilience came through many forms—learning to use a white cane, asking for support, and finding a partner and companion in Vogue.
I wish that the mindset of inclusion and empathy for differently-abled people could progress just as quickly as our economy and technology do.
Janell
Hi! I’m Janell. When I was 12 years old, my life took an unexpected turn due to a rare condition called Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). Navigating the transition from being able-bodied to living with a disability certainly wasn’t easy, but looking back, I am so grateful for the person I’ve become through it. That journey taught me the true meaning of resilience and sparked a growth in me that I carry into everything I do.
I’m a naturally active person with a huge heart for people. In my free time, I love baking, playing sports, and volunteering. If you haven’t guessed by my hobbies, I thrive on interaction and helping others! It’s this passion that drives my ambition to pursue a career in the social service sector, where I hope to turn my lived experiences into meaningful support for others.
I’m always looking for ways to stay engaged and give back to the community. I believe that despite any hurdles, we can still live vibrant, connected lives—so feel free to 'jio' me out anytime! Let’s connect and make something great happen together
Jen
Hi, I’m Jen. For a long time, I felt like I was navigating a world out of sync with my pace. I often wondered why the road felt steeper for me than for my peers, despite being hardworking and committed to striving for excellence. In early 2025, at age 52, I received a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder without accompanying intellectual or language impairment, Level One (Requiring Support in Social Communication and Restricted Behaviours). The diagnosis helped me understand that I was not a failure, but simply experiencing and navigating the world differently, which sometimes made it harder to “fit” into environments shaped largely by neurotypical expectations. With this clarity, I began to re-examine my life with greater grace and acceptance, and to consciously reduce self-criticism about “not achieving” in the same way like my peers.
Being autistic and an introvert, connecting with people does not always come naturally to me. Yet, I have not allowed this to stop me from giving back to society through volunteering. Over time, I have also come to see a blessing in disguise in my condition, as it allows me to focus deeply and acquire new skills quickly.
I am now comfortable integrating Generative AI and graphic design into my social media contents creation to raise awareness and understanding of adult autism. It is my humble wish that my creations could inspire peers who have also received a late diagnosis, or who remain undiagnosed while trying to find their footing.
By sharing my journey, I hope to make a meaningful difference for others, just as I continue learning to do for myself.