Empowerment of Silent Voices

My name is Raydon. I am a Kenyan Gen Z, born with total blindness and acquired partial deafness after being injected with Quinin. In other words, I am a Deafblind person who largely depends on assistive devices for both mobility and communication needs.
As a child, my earliest memories are filled with vivid sensory experiences my white cane provided. Every tap and sweep uncovered new dimensions of my surroundings, transforming the dynamic streets of Kakamega into a tactile map. My white cane became my most trusted guide, helping me navigate the world with a sense of independence that many take for granted. Each step I took was a testament to the power of touch and intuition.
In 2007, an unexpected turn of events added a new layer to my sensory world. An injection of Quinin, meant to treat a Malaria disease, left me partially deaf. Suddenly, the world seemed to shrink, muted and distant. It was a period of adjustment to my new reality, where I had to find new ways to connect. Hearing aids became my lifeline, boosting sounds and bringing back the voices and noises that had once been very clear. Though they were not a perfect solution, they restored a critical part of my sensory experience, allowing me to interact with my environment more fully.
Technology has always played an important role in my life. As I grew older, I became proficient at using different assistive devices. The Slate, Stylus and Perkins Brailler (tools for writing braille) were my first introduction to the world of written communication. Later, Talkback and JAWS screen readers opened up the digital world to me, allowing me to operate a computer, navigate the internet, compose emails and access information, all with keyboard shortcuts. It was empowering, turning what could have been a barrier into a gateway of opportunities.
Teaching others how to use these devices has become my real passion. As a trainer, I guide my students through the particulars and complexities of keyboarding, Microsoft packages and internet navigation, all with the assistance of JAWS. Each lesson is a journey of discovery, where we explore the potential of technology to transform lives. My students learn that with the right tools, they too can achieve independence and success, breaking down the barriers that society often places before them.
My journey with assistive devices is evidence to resilience and adaptation. From the tactile feedback of my white cane to the auditory assistance of my hearing aids, each device has played a very important role in my life. They are not just tools but extensions of myself, enabling me to interact with the world in ways that would otherwise be impossible. As technology continues to advance, I remain optimistic and excited about the future, knowing that each innovation brings with it new possibilities for connection, independence and growth.