Cochin: Hanna Alice Simon, who overcame her vision impairment with the strength of the Word of God, is now a student of the famous Notre Dame University. Hanna, who secured the first rank at the national level in the differently abled category in the recent CBSE 12th examination, was selected to study psychology at the University of Notre Dame in the United States with a scholarship. Hanna passed CBSE with 496 marks out of 500 in the humanities section.

Hanna, who is 100% visually impaired, overcame the challenges with her faith in God and attained her dream-like achievement. Hannah is also eager to publicly acknowledge the importance of faith in God in her life. At the wake of her success at the national level, Hannah testified her faith by sharing a Bible verse in an interview conducted by the national media channel 'India Today'.

When asked by the anchor of 'India Today' how she felt about this success, Hanna's reply was as follows: 'It is amazing for me to score 496 marks. Things in my life so far have not been what me or my parents thought. When I was born, my mother was even worried about how I would walk without help. But now by the grace of God, I have topped in CBSE in the category of differently-abled children.'

It was then that Hannah confessed the turning point in her life: 'I will guide the blind in an unknown way. I will lead them on a strange path. I will lighten the darkness before them and make the rough places smooth. All these things will I do unto them; He will not forsake them,' (Isaiah 42:16).

Hannah has a condition caused by the underdevelopment of the eyeballs. She completed her plus two studies at Rajagiri Christu Jayanthi Public School, Kakkanad. It is also noteworthy that Hanna did not study in a school where differently-abled children study. She also does not agree with her being given more attention than other children. Learning is done by reading and listening to books with the help of a computer. Writing is also done with the help of a computer.

Braille script was used from 5th to 8th standard. Mother Lija, who is also a teacher, learned Braille for this. Today, Hanna's reading uses the help of modern technology. She is talented not only in her studies but also in literary writing. Hannah's collection of six short stories 'Welcome Home was released on July 15. Hannah says her father Simon's stories inspired her to turn to reading and writing