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'Sometimes I can see what others cannot'

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Close your eyes and imagine that the darkness before you is everyday and permanent. UA junior Gaston Mascarenas must conquer that darkness everyday. "Don't feel sorry 'cause someone is blind. We are capable of doing whatever we want." Mascarenas said with a smile. "I want them (people) to have a better grip of what its like. Know someone's accomplishments and how they overcome obstacles."

Mascarenas has overcome many obstacles. He must have all course handouts either read to him by his Personal Reading Edge scanner or translated into Braille by someone at the UA Center for Disability Related Resources, textbooks must be found at a talking book library where they are recorded onto tape, not to mention he must negotiate the busy UA campus.

Mascarenas says he is not ashamed to ask for help when he runs into problems. "I thought people would be more ignorant but most people are very helpful, including the professors."

Mascarenas was born without sight and therefore didn't deal with the trauma of losing it later in life. However, Mascarenas has a message for sighted individuals: "People with vision need to be thankful and appreciative. Who knows, one day God can take it away. Just imagine it."