Loik Charles becomes first blind Dominican to graduate from university

One of the most recognised names in the differently-abled community here in Dominica, Loik Charles, has once again made history, by becoming the first blind Dominican student to graduate from university.

On Saturday, May 07th- the visually impaired 26-year-old, accomplished another amazing feat when he graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Marketing.

“I feel quite elated and ecstatic. It’s something that I have worked hard towards and I am thankful that God has blessed me to be able to see that day where I was able to cross the finish line of this chapter in my life,” an excited Charles told Dominica News Online (DNO) during an exclusive interview.

His university life hasn’t been without its hurdles and Charles revealed that many times, he questioned whether he would have gotten to this point, as funding for his degree was one of his major challenges. However, he revealed that thankfully, “ God always came through somehow and he was always on time.”

Though Sociology was not Charles’ first choice as he started with Marketing, then Music, and was forced to switch his degree due to the pandemic, the differently-abled youth stated `that he intends on making a great impact within the social work field.

“I’m a member of more than one of the vulnerable demographics that sociology takes a keen interest in and looks into,  so I’ve learned a lot. Therefore, I would love to apply what I have learned to our society and teach and impact the youths in the areas of community leading skills and just all around being a mentor, a counsellor, guiding them in terms of academics and in the other areas. I can’t do much; I will find ample resources to aid them,” Charles said.

While the self-taught musician says he would love to return home “to give back and impact my homeland as much as possible,” he would first like the assurance that he will be able to gain employment in Dominica as he hopes to positively contribute to Dominica’s economy.

He opined that there is a greater need for the public and private sector in Dominica to be more open-minded as it relates to creating avenues for employees for people living with disabilities.

“There is quite a bit of work to be done. There’s a stigma, which is very strong in Dominica as it pertains to the abilities or capabilities or lack thereof among the differently-abled community, particularly the adult and young adult community, Charles told DNO.

“ So I would like to be one of the pioneers, one of the many voices, one of the main advocates for a better and more level and equal playing ground in that regard. I’ve been a pioneer before in the academic field and I believe if it is God’s will and I may be a pioneer in this field as well in Dominica, then I am all for it,” the former Dominica State College graduate added.

Charles is also hoping to use his voice to advocate for the differently-abled youth to have a voice, a place and space in Dominica’s society.

He has since encouraged other differently-abled youth to never forget that they each have a purpose.

“God put every one of us here for a reason. Don’t allow anyone to permeate your mind and let you think otherwise in regard to who you are and what your purpose is and never limit your potential,” Charles advised.

At a very young age, Charles’ parents, Rosemund Gordan Leblanc and Vincent Charles were determined not to deny their son the opportunity to develop his fullest potential and spared no effort to ensure that he was provided with the support required to live a holistic life.

He was the first blind student to obtain a mainstream primary school education at the Berean Christian Academy, and in 2008, the recent university graduate made history when he became the first blind student to write the Grade Six National Assessment (G6NA).

Charles went on to cement his historical accomplishments when he enrolled as a student at the Saint Mary’s Academy (SMA), thus becoming the first person with impaired vision in Dominica to be allowed to attend secondary school.

The young scholar was also the first blind student to attend and graduate the  Dominica State College (DSC), where he obtained an associate’s degree in Information Technology, averaging a 3.1 Grade Point Average (GPA) throughout.

As to his future plans,  Charles who has received numerous awards from the National Youth Council (NYCD), the Ministry of Education and the Bureau of Gender Affairs to name a few, intends to pursue a master’s degree in the not-too-distant future.

The youth activist says he is determined never to allow his disability to become an inability and has also expressed his gratitude to everyone who has assisted in one way or another throughout his journey.