Shooting for her dream
Her small stature might set her apart from other 22-year-olds, but Miss Isabelle Lim has never let it affect her dream.
Despite being diagnosed with Nager syndrome, a rare condition that affects the development of her face, arms and hands, Miss Lim has continued chasing her ambition of becoming a professional photographer.
On Friday, Miss Lim graduated from the Lasalle College of the Arts with a diploma in fine arts. She says: "I am happy that I have finally graduated and relieved, too, that my hard work and perseverance have paid off."
She is also deaf and relies on sign language, but this did not stop her from learning.
Miss Lim, who is Lasalle's first Dare to Dream scholar, sought help from others.
"I was allowed to have a sign interpreter and a note taker during lessons, which helped me tremendously," she says.
But she knew that relying on others would not be enough and she would have to work even harder in school.
"I had to ask my lecturers to re-explain what I didn't understand during critique sessions," she says.
"More effort is required on my part to use the computer or writing to communicate with lecturers and course mates."
EXHIBITION
But her achievements extend beyond the classroom.
Last month, Miss Lim held a photography exhibition, See What I See, at the Enabling Village at Redhill.
While she admits that working on the exhibition was "quite a challenge", she looks back fondly on the experience.
"It was most satisfying to experience viewing and sharing my photography with so many visitors. I was quite overwhelmed with its success," she says.
With a diploma and an exhibition under her belt, Miss Lim now does freelance work and has been attending photography workshops.
She feels more can be done to help people with special needs to achieve their dreams.
Says Miss Lim: "Without full accessibility, many people with special needs will not be able to live their full potential."
One way this can be done is through early education.
"It would be great to start teaching primary school pupils the meaning of inclusiveness," she says.
"For example, they can learn sign language as a co-curricular activity."
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