Most students bend the rules to get the answers; Simon had to bend the rules just to get the questions.
Sitting in an overcrowded government school classroom, Simon could not get close enough to read the board and his teachers did not notice he had a vision problem.
The determined young scholar came up with 鈥榮neaky ways鈥� to make sure he didn鈥檛 fall behind.
鈥淚 did not ask for an answer but I had to ask 鈥榳hat鈥檚 the question?鈥�. In class exercises I could not see on the board, but with the exams I could have the questions near,鈥� he explained.
鈥淲hen I was in public school, I was first in exams but I was last when it came to class exercises.鈥�
Simon said the difference between his results would make teachers suspicious, and he did not want to think about what life would be like if he had not been enrolled at St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淚f I failed (at school), I wouldn鈥檛 be here in Form 5. If I wasn鈥檛 here in Form 5, I wouldn鈥檛 be Rotaract Vice-President and I wouldn鈥檛 be the Discipline Prefect,鈥� he said.
鈥淕lasses have made a very big difference 鈥� it鈥檚 a very small thing that can make a very big difference. They have allowed me to participate in a lot of stuff, and work towards achieving my goals.鈥�
Simon said the attitude at St Jude鈥檚 also improved his confidence.
鈥淲hen I came to St Jude鈥檚 I felt freedom,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t was a different system 鈥� it was more accommodating. If I couldn鈥檛 see a question, I go for it, I would go to the front (of class) to check on the board.
鈥淢y teachers realised, and here they were friendly and concerned and did something about it. They questioned why it was happening.鈥�
Once the teachers noticed a problem with Simon鈥檚 sight he was referred to the Medical Check Team, a group of international doctors who volunteer at St Jude鈥檚 each year.
The Medical Check Team has had a long history at St Jude鈥檚, following up concerns raised by teachers and providing the expertise needed to diagnose conditions.
In March, the 2016 team of 15 medical professionals spent two weeks at St Jude鈥檚 to ensure our students were healthy.
Simon was among a group of 12 students with vision problems who the team members took to an optometrist in town. Additional requirements for follow-up equipment or treatment for the students is usually arranged through their parents.
This year marked the first time members of the Medical Check Team provided mentorship to St Jude鈥檚 graduates who are interested in becoming doctors.
See the important work the Medical Check Team are doing at St Jude鈥檚 in聽. Find out how you can contribute聽.
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