Blind student Hu Yun-yun wins Presidential Education Award, uses music and language to connect with the world

Hu Yun-yun, a student at Taipei Municipal Datong School for the Blind, will receive the Presidential Education Award for her achievements in music and language despite significant visual impairment. Diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 1 year and 3 months old, Hu endured 22 rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, ultimately losing her sight completely by age 11. Her journey has been marked by resilience and a passion for the arts.

Starting piano at age 4, Hu faced further challenges with high-frequency hearing loss in fourth grade. After receiving hearing aids, she reconnected with her studies and music. Despite moments of self-doubt due to her appearance and disability, she used her limited vision to assist fully blind classmates, realizing that even small efforts can illuminate others' lives.

Language and music became Hu's primary means of communication. Her personal experiences fueled her writing, leading her to win first place in the senior group of the National Composition Competition for Visually Impaired Students and second place in the National Speech Competition for Visually Impaired Students (Mandarin and Taiwanese) last year. She also ventured into songwriting, transforming her struggles into melodies.

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Even if the strength is small, as long as it is used in the right place, it can become a light that illuminates others.

Her musical talent was recognized with a special award in the applied group of the second International Visually Impaired Music Competition for her composition, making her the youngest recipient in that category. Hu's talents extend beyond music; she has explored flute, singing, taiko drumming, and dancing, and even excelled in athletics, winning a 200-meter race in the national track and field championships for students with disabilities.

Looking ahead, Hu aims to study music at the university level, hoping to use her skills to give back to society. She wants to inspire children with similar experiences to believe that their lives can shine, even without sight.

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Even if you can't see the world, life can still shine.