Join the Office of Student Engagement, the Center on Disability, the Disabilities Club and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services as we honor the Brave, Bold and Brilliant during National Disabilities Awareness Month.    
 
You will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from the hosting partners and a special presentation by Kha'yen   
 
Meet Kha'yen!  
 
Hear a mother's testimony:  
 
A Bright Light in the Dark: My Son’s Journey Through Blindness and Joy”
 
At just five years old, my son is already one of the brightest lights in our world — not because he can’t see the world around him, but because he teaches everyone how to see life differently.
 
We didn’t find out from doctors that something was different — we noticed it ourselves. We watched how he wasn’t following our movements, how his eyes didn’t track toys or faces the way other babies could. As parents, our instincts kicked in. And soon, we learned the truth: he was blind. The connection from his eyes to his brain — his optic nerve — was underdeveloped.
 
It was a diagnosis that broke our hearts and shook us with fear for his future. Would he ever know joy, or feel included? Could he ever really enjoy life to the full potential?
 
Today, five years later, we have our answer: Absolutely, yes.
 
Despite his blindness, my son lives a life bursting with love, energy, and inspiration. He wakes up every day full of curiosity, silliness, and laughter. He might not see the sun rise, but he feels the light in every way that matters.
 
He loves God. Even at this young age, he talks about faith with a deep innocence and insight that surprises many adults. He listens to kingdom Melodie’s and gospel music and holds on to simple but powerful ideas about love, kindness, and purpose. God isn’t just someone he hears about — it’s someone he feels in his soul.
 
He loves his family. He knows the sound of every voice in our home and the rhythm of every heart. He reaches for us not with sight, but with trust. His hugs are the kind that wrap around your spirit. He remembers the sound of every giggle, every bedtime prayer, and every lullaby we’ve ever shared.
 
And no one touches his heart quite like his little sister.
 
She’s four and though she’s younger, she plays one of the biggest roles in his life. Her voice is a constant in his world — her laughter, her footsteps, her playful energy — all of it helps ground him. She challenges him in the most loving ways. Whether they’re singing, sharing toys, or simply being loud and silly together, she pushes his boundaries and expands his comfort zone.
 
Their playtime is full of magic — she sings songs that he hums along to, and together they create worlds of imagination that transcend sight. She encourages him to try new things, celebrates his small victories, and comforts him when things get tough. Her presence is a source of endless motivation for him, helping him build skills like communication, patience, and confidence without ever making it feel like “work.”
 
Their bond is something truly extraordinary. She instinctively understands how to connect with him, whether it’s by softly describing the world around them or by simply holding his hand as they explore together. She doesn’t just see him as her brother; she is his protector, his guide, and his biggest eye.
 
Her presence has strengthened his communication, boosted his confidence and sharpened his awareness. She’s not just his sister — she’s his built-in cheerleader, therapist, and best friend. Watching the two of them grow together is a reminder that love truly sees no limits. Watching them share a laugh, a secret, or a simple moment of quiet connection is a daily reminder that love doesn’t need sight to be seen — it’s felt in every hug, every smile, and every word exchanged between them.
 
Their relationship is a beautiful dance of support and affection, and it’s clear that together, they’re not just siblings — they’re a team. This connection has shaped him in ways nothing else could, helping him navigate the world with courage, joy, and the unshakable knowledge that he is never alone.
 
He loves school. From music time to story circles, he thrives in a learning environment where he’s treated with care, respect, and dignity. He listens intently, absorbs knowledge with astonishing speed, and asks big questions that make teachers smile in awe. He doesn’t see the letters on a page — but he’s beginning to feel them in Braille, and hear them in books that speak to him.
 
And oh, does he love music. Music is how he experiences color. It’s how he paints pictures in his mind. From soft melodies to upbeat gospel choirs, music gives him a sense of movement, emotion, and wonder.
 
But the piano — that’s his comfort. When his fingers touch the keys, it’s like the world slows down for him. He doesn’t just hear the notes; he feels them. The piano is where he goes when he needs peace, when he wants to create, or when words don’t quite say enough. It’s more than an instrument — it’s his therapy, his joy, and his sanctuary. He’ll sit for long stretches, playing what he hears in his heart, and it’s one of the purest forms of expression you’ll ever witness.
 
Yes, my son is blind — but that is not who he is.
 
He is a child. A brother. A believer. A learner. A dreamer. A musician. A light.
 
He’s just like any other kid: he gets excited over snacks, tells silly jokes, has strong opinions about what shirt he wants to wear, and occasionally tries to sneak cookies when he thinks no one’s looking.
 
His condition makes him unique, but it doesn’t make him less. He doesn’t need to “overcome” his blindness to be amazing — he already is. His life is not defined by what he cannot do, but by the many things he can do, beautifully.
 
As his parent, I’ve learned that the real “disability” is when the world underestimates children like him. But when you truly see him — not through eyes, but through heart — you realize he’s not missing anything.
 
He’s just living life in his own incredible way.​1000035256.mp4​ ​1000043482.jpg​ ​1000042602.jpg​ ​1000067689.jpg​ ​1000068712.jpg​ ​fbecf19b-d062-4998-911d-1cae0202edfa-1_all_34239.jpg​ 

Hosted by: Division of Student Development

Additional Information can be found at: https://prideportal.ccp.edu/event/11779361