As a child, I always preferred classical music over children's music as a child. What captivated me was the harmonious blend of diverse instruments; each unique in its appearance, size, and sound.
However, that wasn't the sole factor setting me apart from my friends and my non-visually impaired sister. While I often stumbled and fell while running around, my sister didn't. She attributed it to our contrasting personalities, but as time passed, I noticed subtle differences in how our parents treated my older sister and me.
My older sister sometimes ate alone during meals, while I always had my mother or other family members by my side. They would sit next to me and serve me side dishes on spoons. Moreover, when my sister reminded me to eat, she would say, "You know there are side dishes in the refrigerator, right? Take them out and eat them." Unlike my older brother and sister, I rarely joined them for outings to PC cafes or movies. It was then that I realized the disparities between the treatment of my other siblings and me.
Being born prematurely at 26 weeks, I spent time in an incubator, which led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity due to excessive oxygenation. This condition affects premature infants with low birth weight.
I currently play the trombone as a member of the Hart Blind Chamber Orchestra. When I was young, my mother speculated whether my other senses had compensated for my diminished visual ability. My mother carefully observed me, and eventually, she noticed that I could identify numbers on the phone by the sound of the buttons being pressed. This led her to believe I had a perfect pitch. Subsequently, she started teaching me piano. Her intuition proved correct. It turned out that I had a perfect pitch. It is a source of pride and humility, as it has played a crucial role in shaping my journey.
Reflecting on my past, I realized that my parents supported me in experiencing many things, including frequent travels and various endeavors. In the process, I feel remorseful, knowing that my older siblings may have been disappointed. Of course, there were moments when I felt a bit disconnected while engaging in recreational activities with my non-visually impaired family, but it never brought me any distress. I didn't want my family to miss out on opportunities because of me.
Whenever people inquired about my parents' challenges, I couldn't shake off the burden of guilt, as though I had committed some wrongdoing. I frequently pondered whether my family's unhappiness was somehow my fault.
Despite our apparent uniqueness as a family, we are far from being exceptional or strange. I would like to ask you perceive us as a normal family with three children, each with their aspirations and dreams.