Posts

VIP as VIP is Back !

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It’s been a long time since I last wrote here. Life moved fast. I got involved in bigger projects, working with companies, organisations, and institutions to develop strategies that make their spaces more inclusive — not just for the sake of compliance, but to truly welcome persons with disabilities. I’ve found myself more and more in spaces designed without us in mind — boardrooms, trainings, websites, recruitment systems, digital tools — all built with good intentions, but still missing the most important part: the people they forget. And somewhere along the way, I was reminded why I started VIP as VIP in the first place. I became blind almost 10 years ago. And back then, I saw what it felt like to be the opposite of a VIP — to be underestimated, left out, or seen as an afterthought. That’s what pushed me to create this space: to flip the narrative. To say that vision impaired people are very important people — not because we need special treatment, but because we matter. Because we ...
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15 Years of Love and Human Connections – My Reflections on Valentine’s Day

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Fifteen years ago, while still at university, I published my first book on love and human relationships. At the time, I was deeply curious about how two strangers could form a connection so strong that it reshaped their lives. What made some relationships thrive while others faded? One of the key ideas in my book was the concept of the Love Map. This idea suggests that the person we fall in love with isn’t random—they fit into a unique map we carry within us, shaped by our experiences and interactions since childhood. When someone aligns with that map, love happens almost naturally. Beyond attraction, the book also explored ways to build and sustain strong relationships. Simple but powerful techniques, like *mirroring*—where we reflect back the emotions and expressions of our partner—can create deeper understanding. The environment in which conversations take place also plays a huge role. The right setting can turn an ordinary talk into a meaningful exchange that strengthens bonds. Fif...
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Embracing Inclusion, One Session at a Time

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I recently had the privilege of conducting a disability awareness session for the UNICEF Sri Lanka team. It reminded me of the first disability awareness session I facilitated as a Master’s student in Disability Studies at Flinders University. That session, designed for Australia Awards scholars in their Introductory Academic Program, was a turning point for me. With the support of my lecturers, I learned how to translate my personal experiences into practical guidance on inclusive practices. Their mentorship shaped the advocate I am today—committed to making workplaces more inclusive, one session at a time.   When preparing for the UNICEF session, I focused on making disability inclusion practical and actionable while grounding it in real experiences. Most importantly, I wanted to emphasize a fundamental truth—people with disabilities are human first. We have ambitions, skills, and responsibilities like anyone else, and achieving real inclusion in the workplace requires equit...
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A New Start for the Blog: Tuan is back

Hello, my name is Tuan Rushdi. I started my professional life with a degree in Management Information Systems, and like many, I anticipated a trajectory that would follow the norms. However, life took a turn when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which steadily dims vision. This led to an early end to my first professional endeavour, but in many ways, it marked the beginning of a much richer journey. Technology became a close ally in adapting to this new phase of life. Screen readers allowed me to communicate with the world through computers, and a white cane evolved into my guide, helping me navigate daily life. During this time of self-reinvention, I discovered chess. A game of strategy and foresight, it resonated deeply with my own journey. I took on the challenge and entered the world of competitive chess. In a groundbreaking move, I became the first blind chess player in Sri Lanka to compete in an internationally rated tournament organized for sighted players. I didn'...
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Strategy Conference National Para Olympics

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The strategy conference for the national para Olympics was held on the 6th and 7th February 2020 at Hotel Clarion Kiribathgoda. Mr. Hilmy Ishak was the facilitator for the session.
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Story of a Visually Impaired Chess Player

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The famous saying of the great Albert Einstein: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”, indeed, was the saying that inspired me to focus on my abilities, not on my disability. Chess is one of the best gifts God gave me. When I had normal vision, I didn’t have time to play or learn Chess because I concentrated more on my studies. However, after I became visually impaired due to an eye disease called “Retinitis Pigmentosa”, I got to play and learn Chess. When I joined a rehabilitation program for the visually impaired, I met Chess players who were blind or partially sighted. From them, I learned how to play Chess with an adaptive Chess board. As soon as I learned the game, I got an opportunity to play in the national visually impaired Chess championship. At that time, was my chess knowledge sufficient to compete in a national event immediately after completing an introductory course? But I managed to become runner-up in this tournament. That was the first time I participa...
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My first Asian Para Games Experience 2018

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I was thrilled to be selected for the Asian para games Chess team to represent my country. On the 1st of October at 7.30 a.m., we left Bandaranayaka airport for Indonesia. There was a grand opening ceremony on the 6th of October. Our games started on the 7th. Facilities provided for players were excellent, and 8000 volunteers were appointed to help the para-athletes. In addition, we had varieties of food and other entertainment, such as musical shows etc. I played for the standard Chess event. I placed 13th in Asia with a performance rating of 1502. Our para team got 14 medals, including 4 gold medals. We returned to Sri Lanka on the 14th of October.
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