We all have our aspirations in life, from wanting to become a grade school teacher to managing a successful startup company – maybe even becoming a famous celebrity. However for visually impaired Mamoon Sultan, being able to lead a normal life and find a way to contribute to society, in his own way, is his goal in life.
Diagnosed with cataract at the age of six, Mamoon Sultan was born in Yemen and moved with his family at a young age to the UAE. Doctors kept telling his parents that it would be an easy procedure to treat the cataract however luck was not on Mamoon’s side and he lost sight in his left eye.
The son of a production controller and a housewife, Mamoon’s education was planned only until the ninth grade. After seeing him doing very well, his teachers and friends urged him to continue his schooling. His mother coached him at home, helping him with his reading and writing and Mamoon was able to complete high school. But he hit a roadblock that lasted for eleven years: there were not many colleges that provided support for the visually impaired.
“During this time, people told me that I couldn’t do anything because of my blindness – even my father told me that he did not expect much from me. This made me feel envious of my brothers whom my father was always watchful of. This made me want to prove myself to them”.
Mamoon stayed at home until an institute for the visually impaired called “Tamkeen” was established in Dubai. The institution developed and equipped the blind through courses that helped them attain jobs in various organizations. After his completion of Tamkeen’s specialized programme, Mamoon started his job hunt by sending CVs to different companies. Then Standard Chartered Bank showed interest in him. After interviewing him the bank hired him in their Abu Dhabi branch.
Mamoon says the bank appreciated his performance as customer service representative turned floor manager. “They told me how much the branch’s image improved because of me. I even received a letter of thanks from management commending me for a job well done”.
One day his manager introduced him to the head of Higher Colleges of Technology and invited him to continue his education at New York Institute of Technology – Abu Dhabi on a full scholarship. A few weeks later he found himself in the college studying Business Administration.
Mamoon struggled at first. “To be honest with you I was feeling a bit strange, I did not know anyone, and nobody knew me. I started by taking one to two courses in the first three semesters because no one could help me and as a visually impaired person I need more time to finish my work. A normal person could read a simple page in five minutes, but for me it would take at least twenty to read and understand”. But with generous help from friends he calls the “The Three Musketeers,” Mamoon was able to complete his Bachelor’s Degree.
Mamoon loves living in Abu Dhabi. “The streets here are very simple to remember. And if I need to catch a taxi, I would just use my phone. If you go to any companies and tell them about your disability, the staff is accommodating and gives you priority. Sadly, I can’t use the bus system.”
Whenever Mamoon receives praise from his peers he points out that anybody can do what he did, the only difference is that he can’t see as well as everybody else. “We must always believe in ourselves and be open to learning. It’s a matter of showing interest and doing the hard work. Many people are given opportunities but fail to seize them; it is because they do not have the interest. ’
Still employed at Standard Chartered Bank Mamoon is now pursuing his MBA at New York Institute of Technology – Abu Dhabi. His favourite subjects are marketing, management and business. Despite his father’s reservations, he plays football and swims.
