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.
DG Carole Ann
Hello! I’m Carole. My life changed in 2018 when I went into septic shock due to a ruptured ovarian cyst. I was intubated and teetering between life and death. To save my life, surgeons administered a drug that sadly caused me to lose my hands and legs. I was in a coma for two months and the ICU for four, followed by two years of recovery. I am now a quadruple amputee.
Despite this, I find joy in connecting with people and trying new things, from exploring makeup to dolling up to celebrating Christmas. I love keeping my mind busy and finding meaning in the small things. I also have a Shih Tzu named Angel.
Ironically, my disability has made me more independent. I used to be a procrastinator, but now I’m a no-nonsense person who loves to make things happen! I've become incredibly resourceful and enjoy exploring how technology can make life easier.
I believe in being a change maker for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). I wish the public were better informed about the very real issues PWDs face, so we can all work together to find solutions and build a truly inclusive society. I trust Inspirebots can drive this change. Let’s make this happen!