A new Florida Atlantic University graduate proved where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Ndjuma Joseph became the first blind student to graduate from FAU’s Department of Music Friday.
The 28-year-old has used a wheelchair since birth. And lost her vision at the age of seven. FAU spent about one year adapting the curriculum with Braille. And after four years full of countless extra hours in the classrooms, Joseph is now a graduate.
The vocalist told NewsChannel 5 she hopes to inspire anyone who’s faced challenges on the way to their goals.
“If I can make it here, anybody else can,” she said. “You just have to believe in yourself. The truth is attitude is the real disability. Your disability does not define you, you define yourself.”
Next Joesph will work teaching music to other blind students in South Florida.
Joseph joined more than 3,200 students who graduated from FAU this spring. The graduates represent 50 countries. The youngest grad was 17, the oldest was 68.
