Growing up, Cindy Chan often wished she could blend in. Diagnosed with congenital retinitis pigmentosa at the age of two, she wore thick glasses that set her apart from her peers.
At first, Cindy enjoyed a carefree childhood and rarely thought much about her condition. But when she turned 11, things began to change.
She started needing more support in school – front-row seats and exam papers with enlarged fonts. That was when she began to realise she was “different” from her peers.
These supports helped her learn, but they also made her feel self-conscious. A single glance from classmates was enough to remind her that she stood out. When others asked questions out of curiosity, she often did not know how to respond.
“My self-esteem was affected as I felt that I was treated differently from my classmates,” the 21-year-old recalled. “This made it hard for me to make friends.”
Over time, she learned to hide her feelings behind a smile. Afraid of troubling others, she tried to manage on her own, even when she could not see the whiteboard or projector screen.
“I convinced myself that simply listening was enough,” she admitted.
Things took a turn in secondary four when a teacher encouraged her to speak up, reminding her that there would always be someone willing to help. That moment taught her something important – that no one should be denied the opportunity to learn because of a disability.
Bit by bit, her confidence grew.
As she became more self-assured, she also found a desire to give back. Cindy began volunteering as a tutor, helping younger students with their studies. Her own experiences taught her empathy, as she understands what it is like to struggle.
Her time as a tutor has shaped her dream of becoming a school counsellor, guiding students in their educational journey.
Today, Cindy is pursuing a degree in Chinese at Nanyang Technological University. Her excellent results and commitment to service earned her the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities this year.
For Cindy, the scholarship means more than financial help.
“I hope to use this scholarship to broaden my horizons. As someone passionate about the Chinese language, I believe the best way to grow is to immerse myself in a Chinese-speaking environment such as China,” she said. “I want to experience the culture, and the different ways people use and express the language there.”
She hopes that being in a new environment overseas will give her fresh perspectives and spark new ideas in her learning journey. “To me, this scholarship isn’t just financial aid. It’s a stepping stone toward becoming a more capable, global-minded version of myself.”
The road to this point has not always been smooth. There are still tough days, but she is learning to take them in stride.
Reading has become her source of strength, helping her process the emotional challenges she faced and gave her perspective on her life’s direction. Gradually, she has learned to see her disability not as a limitation, but as something that has shaped her resilience and purpose.
She shared a quote close to her heart from the book《梦想这条路踏上了，跪着也要走完》:
“能力或许只能尽力，但态度，是自己可以决定的，” which means that we may only be able to do our best in terms of ability, but our attitude is something we can always choose.
For her, it’s a reminder to face every challenge with the right spirit, no matter what the day brings.
Her advice to fellow persons with disabilities? “Don’t let societal expectations affect you too much. What matters is staying true to yourself.”
Cindy’s journey is proof that every challenge can become a source of strength, and that those who once needed support often grow into the ones who give back generously.
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The APB Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities is a bond-free scholarship. As the only pan-disability scholarship in Singapore, it empowers students with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities at the six local universities with no restrictions in the discipline of studies. Since its launch in 2004, the APB Foundation has committed over $2.6 million to the programme and has since awarded 67 scholarships. Find out more at https://www.spd.org.sg/scholarships/.