He is like most 17-year-olds. He surfs the internet, chats on Instant Messaging, loves writing music and has been computer literate from 12.
Next Friday, he will be graduating from the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) and envisions a career in music or Information Technology (IT).
But Loik Charles is not an ordinary 17-year-old because has been visually impaired from a very early age.
Dominica News Online sat with the young man from Morne Daniel for an interview and was impressed by his intelligence and tact and how he has not let his disability hold him back.
“I am like everybody else, you know,” he said. “The only thing is I cannot see like everybody else, but it is not really a big deal.”
Charles was born premature with cataracts and he said he was told that at birth, he was given too much oxygen by doctors. “So the combination of these two messed up the membranes behind my eyes,” he explained. “I was told, I was not born blind.”
He says he has no problem coping with his disability because he has been visually impaired from a tender age. “If you could see before and you got blind then it would be more challenging for you to move on after that and cope with your environment,” he states. “But as much as I was blind from a tender age I learn to cope with the environment like any other blind person and do all and everything that sighted and blind people can and cannot do.”
He has not felt hindered in Dominica but admits there are many limitations and he is convinced if he was in a more developed country, he would be “more advanced.”
Charles boasts of his independence and how he doesn’t “depend on others to do everything for me.” “I bathe myself, I dress myself, I prepare my own breakfast, I wash dishes, I make my bed…all that I do by myself,” he stated. “My mother taught me how to do these and more.”
And like all teenagers, he loves surfing the internet and chatting online. “I spend a lot of my time on the internet and my mother sometimes have to make noise with me and tell me to go to my bed,” he said with a hearty laugh.
So how does a young man who is visually impaired go through five years of high school like a person with normal vision? “I went to school with my laptop which has a special software on it called Jaws,” he explained. “So as I type the computer reads back to me what I type letter for letter and then word for word. In school while the teacher was writing on the board, they themselves would dictate what they were writing or another student would be sitting next to me making the notes and giving me the notes at the same time.”
He characterizes his educational career at SMA as “enjoyable and a wonderful experience.” “I did not have student picking on me or bullying me,” he stated. “I basically blended in like everybody else.”
Charles describes his life as “definitely not boring.” “In my spare time I listen to music or I write music and record them,” he said.
He says he had over 30 songs recorded but lost all of them when his computer crashed. “So I had to record some of them all over again,” he noted.
No one has actually taught him music. “I just learnt by myself,” he stated.
He hopes to develop the songs into full productions as part of his life career.
But music and writing songs are not his only aspirations. “Music is my first love but You know in life, you must always have a plan B,” Charles stated. “My plan B is to study IT or maybe psychology but professionally it is going be music.”
Charles is not ‘religious’ but admits he has a relationship with God, whom he says everyone must trust and always be positive.
“If you remain positive and trust in God, he will see you through …even if you think things are not going your way just have faith in God, think positive and you know things will get better one day,” he said.
Charles insists that despite his disability, he is not different from any ordinary Dominican. “I am like everybody else,” he says.
Listen to a sample of Charles’ song below which he hopes to develop into a full production.
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This so sooo touching, hearing this from a visually impaired young man. God bless you my child and always remember to thank God always in anything life throws at you!!
Sounding great…..
Like how this article says “he was given too much oxygen by doctors….”…..well for babies who are very premature the main issue is lack of oxygenation to the body. As everyone knows one cannot live without oxygen. The baby is given lots of oxygen to save their brain and their life. Unfortunately a SIDE EFFECT of this oxygen to the premature eyes is blindness, to put it simply, but that’s the trade off:..no life, or life with blindness. I am happy that this young man is with us today and is such an INSPIRATION for us all, especially when we get down on ourselves, feeling sorry for ourselves with all parts of our body intact! Kudos young man!
Bro, Keep working towards your goals in life. You’re blessed and as your song rightly says, you can be what you wanna be. Go for it!
Keep Striving
May god continue to bless you hommie
Cudos to the teachers and students of the SMA!!! And to God be the glory for great things He has done
Such good news gladens my eyes. Special thanks to your mother who guided you. Stay focused!
Strong young man i love your spirit and hope other people with disabilities see that they can do what ever they set their minds to.
Congrats on your achievements!
Loik, may the Lord bless you richly.I know you as a very humble and intelligent young man with a good sense of humor.Bro, you are also very talented and by the grace of God you will succeed in your future endeavors.The sky is the limit,keep the faith.I am proud of you my nephew.I love you,one love.
Loik, may the Lord bless you richly.I know you as a very humble and intelligent young man with a good sense of humour.Bro, you are also very talented and by the grace of God you will succeed in your future endeavours.The sky is the limit,keep the faith.I love u my nephew.One love.
I love your music Loic, I listened to you on the radio some months ago, and you are such an interesting person. Please start working on a Christmas song for the competition. Wish you could let it have a nice Christmas rhythm. Looking forward to that.
Big up to Loik aka “kreecher” Next Friday we graduating and onward to greater things!
well I’m happy for this young man who has overcome disability. I’m happy to that the National Youth Council gave him an award last month. It was well deserved we papa.
I would really like to see your computer and how you operate it,I have never seen one like it before hope your family wouldnt mind.
Love and respect to you my young brudder. Many of us sit back every day and lament about what we don’t have and such, and here you are making nothing hold you back.
You are an inspiration…go for it.
This is such an inspirational article. I am so impress with this young man. May you continue to embrace life with this positive attitude and make the rest of us feel shame for always complaining.Listened to the music too, great job, excellent really.
good story, but he sound jafaican
Loik I do not know but you are inspiration to us Dominicans.
Good work my boy.
Gods guidance will be with you always.
Charles! keep up the good work, you are able to shine, because inspite of your disability, you give God the glory. you have a bright future ahead of you. your music is very tasty, and look forward to your cd’s. take good care of yourself, and may the good Lord bless you richly.
go loik congrats to u
Omg omg congrats L.C boo
enlightening
I have met this young man and he speaks so intelligently! Indeed he has big future plans – his music especially. He told me he loves all genres and was looking into producing his own music. His ambition had me so emotional! I wished him the best and I continue to pray for the best for him.
That ambition will get Loik into places!
Dawg I can’t express how proud I am of u n all you achieved…. You basically defied all odds and did you bro. Keep doing you. You’re an inspiration to so many others. Keep it 100. Coming from one of your bros at SMA. Blesssss
LOIK CHARLES: Awesome! I salute you. Thanks for giving this interview. There are many people out there with disabilities who need to hear what you have to say. I expect you will find many open doors of opportunity to share your message of hope. Love your song! Let it be the beginning of something big! Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
The Good things that we ‘ve got are for many just a dream so be thankful for the good things that we got. To those of us all we use it to do is to magnify the negative. The next time you see someone or something see the positive and not the negative.
Looooik!
Bobbott is very proud of you. Stay positive and know that we love you.
wait awhile that not the boy that used to go the primary school (Berean Christian Academy), he big so already aye aye.
Some young people have their sight but all the know to do is bathe and dress. Their Soo ti weh mothers still, making breakfast, washing dishes and making bed for them.SHAME!!!
Hats of to Loik’s mother!!! Loik’s future is bright.
Wow, that’s excellent Loik. I have been following this young man’s progress, I’ve watched him, coming to classes in my neighbourhood and this young man is remarkable. I pray to God that he finds some good eye surgeon to correct this situation.
Congratulations on your graduation and keep reaching for the sky. You have a world of opportunities ahead of you young man. God’s speed in your endeavours.
one fing u deadly eh…. keep up da good wrk mah boy!!!!
Gods blessed you my boy. The lord knows why you are in this predicament. Those of us who can see properly refuse to give God the glory, and you in your condition is giving him all the glory due unto how name.. keep up the great attitude towards live.com and your abilities to do all things.
Jah is Love,brother;with determination and faith everything is possible.Guidiance!
Thanks for all the positive, motivational and supportive comments! I will continue to make myself, my family, and my country proud. Thank you once again!
Yep…keep doin the great work god will c u through god bless u
It give me joy to read articles like this on DNO. We need more inspirational stories and there are many on the island. Congrats on your achievement and continue to be the epitome of hard work and determination.
Shout out to my dawg loik room 202 SMA
Wow to God be the glory. Amazing
always will be proud of you Loik! good luck in the future. Love your song by the way!
I can’t hold back the tears.I am impressed,my heart goes to you Loik
congrats and may u continue 2 excel.i hope u will receive a full scholarship 4 ur university education.
This young man gives essence to the scripture “we live by faith not by sight”. His eye of faith has brought him where he is today and certainly will take him where he aspires to go. He serves as a role model for other young, health men who waste their lives through drugs and just mere idleness.
God sees the desires of your heart and He also sees your faith [you believe and you move accordingly] so He will not let you down! You put a lot of young people who are not impaired to shame. Keep on going you MUST get there!
Nothing is impossible with God and I pray that He restores your eyesight. In Jesus name.
DNO Thank you for publishing this story and I hope you will publish more like it as it inspires so many of us who can do better.
made tears come to my eyes and some of us take everything for granted. lord help us
Omg congrats I remember my coworker picking u up from primary school now u graduating from high school. ..way to go
PM Skerrit should seek out a foreign hospital that would be willing to perform an operation for free to correct his problem or seek funding if not able to get it done for free it could be done in the US, England, France or some other European country, how about it Skerrit?
Oh my!! Wow.. truly an inspiration.
GUIDANCE KING
I am extremely extremely impressed with his song and the fact that he did this himself. As a trained singer living in the US, singing and teaching lessons to entitled kids with resources at their fingertips, this has warmed my heart tremendously! It is my dream to open a school of performing arts in the caribbean so students like this can get the support and lessons to equip them to follow their dreams. Congrats young man!!:)
Congratulations to you Charles. The saying, “God never gives us what we cannot support.” You are a model to others especially the youths. I am pleased to hear that you were welcomed at school by all, were helped in whatever manner was necessary and you were never bullied. This is the type of discipline and training that I received from my parents, that I know and experienced when I attended the Catholic schools in Dominica, elementary and high school and practice it to this day. In my adulthood, it is been an asset to me. Thanks be to God, this discipline has kept me out of all sorts of trouble and shielded from bad company too. I am pleased to know that this discipline and training among those students have not changed.
The Canadian schools, religious and non-religious ones have not been able to achieve this. It appears that those undisciplined children rule and also rule their parents. The Canadian provincial governments even had to pass a Law against bullying. Can you imagine that? I call this a shame that with all their talking about it this government, school boards, principles of those schools and teachers were unable to prevent bullying and establish discipline in their schools. It is now left to file charges with the police. Simply put, something is wrong with them, their discipline and lack of it, parents, government and schools.
Yes! If he were in a progressive country and was sent there at also an early age, his eyesight could probably have been restored. Even at this stage, it is worth a try. For those who are generally impaired, there are many opportunities to achieve their goals.
His effort and achievement shows that those who are impaired do have talents and even more than those who are not. They are people too! You know the saying, “God gives and takes and vice versa.” Nothing happens by chance and without reasons. This is the work of God.
It is disappointing to know that in a Christian country, he, being young, is not religious. Did his parents not have him baptized and taught him about God, the faith to practice it or as he got older did he cease practicing the faith? It is said, “If you do not use it, you lose it.”
Charles, you are a created child of God. He loves you and wants you to be in Heaven with him someday. All of us who attended Catholic schools are baptized Catholics, especially in those days and practicing ones. Since you are attending the SMA which is a religious school, you should be practicing the faith, the one you were baptized in, if you were. If you are not baptized, please ensure that you are baptized and practice the faith. It is not solely a personal matter. Additional doors, most of all to the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ will be opened to you in a much better, higher and successful manner. With God nothing is impossible.
In order to obtain eternal salvation, it is imperative that we are baptized Christians, practice the faith, grow in faith, in godly spirituality and be knowledgeable about it.
Parents are accountable to God for the religious nurturing and well-being of their children, especially when they have not yet attained adulthood. They should ensure that their children are baptized and receive adequate religious instructions. There is no question, argument, but, why’s and wherefore’s about it. Where our happiness, peace, godly spirituality and eternal salvation are concerned, it is a serious matter and one to be taken seriously; not lightly and jokingly. Being non-religious is also not something to brag about and be proud of. We should know that all things are temporary but God and eternity are permanent, forever and ever.
As the saying, “If you meet me and forget me you have lost nothing. If you meet Jesus and forget him, you have lost everything.”
All our learning, education, achievements, certificates, diplomas, degrees and possessions in the world will not help us when we close our eyes for the last time (who knows when and how soon) at the end of time. How earthly times fly as it waits for no one.
No one can force religion on anyone. When they attain adulthood, if they wish not to practice the faith, then, as the saying goes, “it will be their funeral.” However, they must know the repercussion and an eternal one of not practicing it.
I’m not even going to read your long recitation however to believe in GOD he must have a religion? Loik is a slave to no one and so his FAITH in GOD will continue to see him through. Go on with your rosary and distorted view of the world and allow other people the freedom to excercise the right to believe in GOD and not organized religion. Have a seat, matter of fact have several seats, you were scared of the topic on the priest though poquit
There is only one way and it is to recognize God, to worship him, practice the faith, pray to him, perform good works in Jesus Name and yes, pray/recite the Most Holy Rosary which reflects the Life, Passion, Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you die, you will see how important it was/is and if you do not pray it while God gave you an allotted time to submit to Him, you will regret it eternally. Mark my words.
The obligation of a genuine practicing Christian is to lead souls to God. This is a mandate from God. We can advise them and help them. If they fail to pay heed, as I have stated, it is their funeral but we must inform them. God will not punish those who do so. He will punish those who do not and who criticize and lambaste those who speak the Truth of Our Lord Jesus Christ and stand in our way of doing so.
As Our Lord said to Satan: “Get behind Me Satan! Begone Satan!” Some of you do not represent God but Satan. How sad for you.
In the Name of God I will continue to speak the truth and stand up for the truth amidst critics, objections and obstacles. I am doing my duty as a Christian.
What are you doing to obtain eternal salvation? May God enlighten you accordingly.
Young man, i salute you! You are the epitome of determination. Quite often, the Almighty sends us messages which we ignore. We must stop complaining, because we only limit ourselves in so doing. You have shown that despite obstacles, one can still persevere. Thank you for being an example to the World. Continue to put your trust in the Lord and he will certainly reward you. Blessed Love!
I am so happy to read this story..I know Loik since he was a baby, and I am elated to read how positive and motivated he is..So inspirational!!!! I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and pray that the Lord continue to bless him and guide his path…
Loik is indeed an inspiration.God bless and guide your every step.
Wow what an inspiration. This young man’s story just really raised my spirits today. Next time I fix my mouth to complain about my life and the things I don’t have, I will remember this young man and the peace he has found with God, the universe and his place in it.
Keep on keeping on young man. All the best to you and I am glad that you were not bullied and that the school was able to adapt your software and learning style so that you could learn along with everyone else. I sense that this is not the last we hear of you. you will go out into the world and achieve greatness, and make your mom smile as every son should. Be blessed!
Very proud of you Loik!remember you at montessori pre-school.You brought tears to my eyes!!
me too! I went to Montesorri with Loik…I remember he was always happy and funny. Loik you made my day.
you are a true inspiration
Boy..hmmm, Thank God for you, Thank God for your family. I’m really happy to hear you didn’t get bullied and that you are so motivated. Even being in a country where we are maybe the least developed island in the caribbean. Keep it up, trust me. Stick close to God, and you’ll have no limits. The whole country just got touched by your story. I’m really happy for you. Take care of yourself. God Bless.
Hurry and produce those songs boy we waiting!!!
The sky is your limit!!!
“I bathe myself, I dress myself, I prepare my own breakfast, I wash dishes, I make my bed…all that I do by myself,” he stated. “My mother taught me how to do these and more.”
Some young people can see and mother is still making breakfast, washing dishes, and making bed for them for them. Lazy and unambitious they are.
Some mother too Soo ti weh.
Hats of to Loik’s mother. Never give up on your child ma’am.
Thank God for a Government that leaves no child behind. Something works in Dominica!!!! ha.
WOW!!! I am impressed!!!
But isn’t there an operation that can correct his condition. Perhaps an institution or some persons who can should seek to assist him. At least look into it. I think its worth a try.
Look at what he has accomplished without sight. Can you imagine what he would do with sight?
God works in Mysterious ways! Loik is a dream becoming a reality. He is like a key to unlock doors we feel that we cannot unlock. He will reach very very far positively making a change in this world. HOPE! EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU LOIK!
Imagine some young men out there have all their senses in tact and they behave like they have none. Here is a young man visually impaired, has gone through high school and no doubt has done well( I wish we would hear of his CSEC results in August too)and he is seeking to do something productive with his life.
Hats of to you Loik (nice name) and your loving and supportive family. They should count themselves lucky and privileged to have you. You also have great musical talent. Boy just keep it up, you going to reach far.
And to his family, keep on standing by him and supporting him.
” no one can kill your dreams but you ” …. This young man should be used by the ministry of youth as an ambassador and motivational speaker to students at all learning institutions . Many of our youths possess all physical abilities yet they fool around . This young man is certainly a strong minded positive man and he will excel beyond a doubt . I’m proud of him and his ability to live a normal life without being prejudiced . Young men , do emulate the philosophy of this young man and stop conforming and transforming your lives to chaos !
God bless u young man
Congrats to you fo bringing this to the limelight.
Having a disability is not the end of your life… many people with disabilities become successfully, albeit its a bit harder and may take longer.
Good luck with your future endeavours.
Aim as far as you can, as far as your circumstances can take you, because trust me….possibilities are endless
The only country in the world where a mistake of such magnitude could occur and your family is not a multi millionaire is in Dominica.
Actually this is not true. It happened right here in America too. not everyone is sue happy and wants to go though the a big court case just for the love of money.
thats what u get from this story.everything is not about money , maybe his family would have been a millionaire and then what? stupse.
not true. my friend in Barbados lost her baby through negligence on the Hospital’s part and she is not a millionaire. as a matter of fact, a case was never pursued because the one thing she wanted would never come back to her, but instead pure heartaches from lengthy court battles.
This is very impressive. If he can be successful then there is no excuse for those with sight.
WOW…the last time I saw him he was about to do common entrance…..all I can say is WOW.
Congrats young man. and you look like Lebron James
I know there was something about his looks.
but this story made me shiver. very touching. Great goin my boy and aim for the best
Loik I know you living at Pottersville with you dad and family, you are so blessed. Congrats to you, your mom and dad and continue to do well
very inspirational; knew him from small; omg, shivers, god continue to bless him u can tell great family support;
You make my hear glad- Pottersville Massive
That is so sweet again he has supportive parents and good family and friends. Continue to strive to achieve your dreams
Congrats Loik you have made your family proud, I know you at Pottersville living with your dad and family, I wish you well and again congrats to you and your parents may God continue to bless you.
DOMINICAN HERO
So proud of my cousin!!!May God continue to bless and keep u!
Inspiring!
Sweet!
Loik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We’re all proud of you!
couldn’t have said it better Anna. Remember our Montessori days?
God bless him and keep him. Keep up the good work young man and congrats to your parents!!
huh?? woww. i never knew he was blind.
he copes with it very well
awesome……keep up the good work star
Congrats from your Read, Willing… Enable! family!
Very encouraging story! VEry talented young man..Wishing him all the best..he has a very bright future ahead.
Very impressive, U go boy..
Good Lyrics.
What an inspirational story. It just goes to show that anything is possible especially with parents who stand by you. I hope that some young men out there with all their senses intact would hear of this story and motivate themselves. Well done Charles and may you continue to grow.
very inspiring!I wish him all the best with his future endeavors! Jah bless!
wonderful, god bless you
good story…
Good work my boy. Best some of those pestssss in the society and stockfarm was blind maybe they would “see” the world differently.
Wow a 1st for dno this it how it should be not all negative all the time this is a great piece somthing different i respect this young man may the lord keep blessing u son.
I recommend Lynchburg College in Virginia to this young man!
That’s it my boy it keep rising , you will make it
Your story really proves that one can do anything that he/she sets his mind to. We shouldn’t let our limitations define us. Determination, optimism, positive attitude! keep soaring!!!!
good for him. Keep on trying to excel young man
good things will come
Cool God bless his heart!
and may all his dreams come to fruition.
WOOOWW!!!!! Tears of joy for this young man. he looks jolly and content with life. Some of us need to stop complaining about the small things. If he can live happily inspite of the situation, we can do it too! God bless his heart..and he is a handsome guy too..some lady is gonna be lucky! He song is great too…GOOD JOB!
He already has a beautiful young lady.
Happy for him! Hope she holds on.
Loik Charles I am so proud of you. You just made my heart glad. Congratulations to you, BIG things are coming your way; you are strong, determined and focused. Thanks to your mother who didn’t give up but saw your potential and helped you to grow, thanks to the Teachers and students at your school for helping you on your journey. You are a great motivation to many young people and I hope many will see you as an inspiration and mentor.
I will quote you…. ” If you remain positive and trust in God, he will see you through …even if you think things are not going your way just have faith in God, think positive and you know things will get better one day,”
Blessings young man.. Your future is indeed bright
Great Story! Very encouraging to those with or without disabilities.
best wishes………..emotional