Derek Franklin
Chonburi native Nititorn is, to his family and teachers, a normal eighteen
year old student. But to the younger students at his school, and many who
meet him, he is an inspiration.
A
brilliant goalball player.
In his studies he is top of his class in most subjects.
He is a member of a marching band, a guitarist in a rock group and a soloist
in a traditional Thai music group.
In his spare time he plays a variety of sports and has represented Chonburi
at table tennis, goalball, futsol, volleyball and athletics competitions.
Many parents may think that their own child is a brilliant student and
Nititorn is no different to many other students. But the difference between
Nititorn and many other students is that he is blind and he attends the
Pattaya School for the Blind.
Each February the school hosts its annual sports day competition and as
expected Nititorn won several medals.
While the students may be best of friends all year long, they become fierce
rivalries as athletes represent their team and attempt to win as many gold
medals as possible.
A leading member of the
cheerleading squad.
However, this year’s competition was a bit different to other
years as there seemed to be more enthusiasm to win the gold medal for the
best cheerleading team than for athletics.
As captain of the Green Team, Nititorn led his teammates in a series of
songs and dance routines which brought cheers and a standing ovation from
the audience and judges. Each team was given ten minutes to perform for the
judges and it was surprising to learn the students could not be heard all
over Pattaya.
In the end it was a difficult decision for the judges as it was clear to see
that both teams had spent a lot of time rehearsing their routines, but when
the winning team was announced, once again it was Nititorn who stood on the
winners’ podium to collect the gold medal.
The School for the Blind is currently celebrating its twenty fifth
anniversary and over the past quarter of a century almost five hundred blind
and visually impaired students have received an education that will give
them a chance to lead an independent life. More information can be found at
www.fr-ray.org
Nititorn with one of the many
instruments he plays.
The Green Team won the
cheerleading competition.
The Blue Team cheerleaders.
