Marie Elise Aarts

Condition: Juvenile Macular Degeneration, Stargardt Disease

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1. What is your profession and why did you decide to choose this field?

I currently work as a study coach and tutor for high school children, but my aspiration is to become the first visually impaired female travel writer to document our 'non-visual' planet.

2. What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

As for the teaching, the most rewarding thing about what I do is that I get to make an impact on the development of a child, boosting their self-esteem and re-installing joy and eagerness to learn into their school life. Though I’ve been passionately tutoring for many years, making a career out of travel writing is my ultimate dream as it would allow me to feed my adventurous spirit and inspire people around the globe to use their senses more consciously all at the same time.

3. What is your advice to all the other VIP around the world who don't believe they can be successful in the area of their interest because of their disability?

Self-acceptance is everything. I truly believe that if you work on accepting yourself first rather than waiting for people to 'accept you', you will radiate different energy to the people around you, including employers. This requires hard internal work and opening yourself up to painful emotions, but with love burning fire becomes pleasing light. Know your worth!