The Way You See It (Wyndham College, Australia, 2023) is a short film presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. Rather than summarise a plot, this work explores themes around achievement, employment pathways and personal goals for young people. It brings attention to vision impairment and physical disability alongside school life, motivation and the relationship some young people have with horses. Shot with an encouraging, upbeat tone, the film aims to inspire and prompt conversation about inclusion and opportunity for teenagers moving towards work and independence. A concise, thoughtful contribution to a programme dedicated to showcasing ability, resilience and aspiration.
My name is Christine Douglas, I'm 19 years old, I'm in year 11 at Wyndham College in the Narimba Precinct and I live in Colby. The goal of this documentary is to not only educate people about my disability but to also inspire people to keep on moving despite the challenges they may face in life. I think it will help people better understand people with vision impairments, how to approach them, how to help them if they think that they may need help and to also inspire people to keep on going. So my vision impairment is called optic nerve hyperplasia, this is where the optic nerve didn't develop at birth. So for other people they may see sharp clean edges whereas for me my vision is disrupted with very very slight blurriness that makes objects less distinct to see. I've dealt with this challenge since birth and over time I have begun to subconsciously memorise new situations, when that situation pops up again I typically can see a little bit better than what I did the previous time. Apart from my disability I also wanted to share all the things that I have achieved over the years and that I am very very proud of. I'm currently enrolled in Wyndham College for my HSC and the subjects that I am doing is work studies, business services, design and technology, software design and development, film studies and English studies and I enjoy all my subjects that I do. Film studies has really helped me in creating this documentary by teaching me about lighting, editing and camera equipment and most of my subjects are technology based which has helped me in reaching my goal to work at Microsoft. Back in 2020 me and my teammate won the AI for Good Schools Challenge by creating a VI headset to allow the blind and visually impaired to play video games. That required us getting into groups and really thinking outside the box and designing something that would change a community or benefit the world. But my vision impairment doesn't stop me from doing the things that I love. I also love riding horses. I started riding eight years ago when I met Sue Ellen Lovett who is a blind Paralympian. I did struggle with finding someone who would take me on because they saw me as a liability risk which I am thankful for my riding instructor now who took me on thinking that I am just like anyone else who would want to learn about horses. Now I have a horse named Sam, he is a 10 year old thoroughbred, he is actually an ex-race horse as well. My goals with Sam would be to go out to riding for the disabled competitions and able bodied competitions and hopefully one day I will be a part of the Australian Para Equestrian Team. After winning the AI for Good Schools Challenge I met Jenny Leigh Flurry who is the Chief of Accessibility and during our conversation she challenged me to take a position from her when she retires. Since then instead of dropping out from school I decided to stay in school and finish my HSC to one day work for Microsoft, move my way up the ranks and get to Chief of Accessibility. Now I am doing a traineeship with Microsoft at their technology centre in Martin Place. I am really enjoying working at Microsoft and it doesn't feel like work. And that is how I configure the adaptive hub to make things more efficient. So with me completing the HSC, me learning new riding skills and winning the AI for Good Schools Challenge and working for Microsoft, the one thing I want everyone to take away from this documentary today is to embrace your challenges and give everything a go. And that's a wrap.
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14 comments
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Julia Battams6/12/2023
Loved your story and would also be keen to help you to understand the pathway to the Paralympics Please feel free to get in touch through our organisations website www.equine pathways.org.au. I would be very happy to help you CheersJulia
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Maria Lowenstein28/08/2023
Christine I wish you luck. It was a great story about you.
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Annette Rowley21/08/2023
Well done Christine such strength and commitment
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Beth OConnor17/08/2023
Phenomenal Christine So impressed to know you are forging ahead with such strength and with determination to reach your goals and make the world a better place.
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Sally Govett17/08/2023
You amaze me every day Christine. Good luck for the film festival competition.
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Trudie Sutton17/08/2023
Great film. Good luck
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Mark Vennard17/08/2023
All the best Christine. Youve done a great job.
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Annette Roth16/08/2023
Woohoo Christine proud is an under statement I love your passion your drive and your will to achieve all your goals regardless of lifes challenges. Super Proud of you. You are an inspiration to everyone your a legend.
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Sharon Oliver16/08/2023
Christine I wish you all the very best always...Microsoft beautiful Congratulations also with your horses Well done Christine
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Jenny Lay-Flurrie16/08/2023
You go Christine Love the video technology and horses who could ask for more. But most of all I love your ambition energy and spunk Keep going cant wait to see you at Microsoft one day
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Ana Lozancic16/08/2023
Amazing as always Congratulations Christine
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Deb Wallace16/08/2023
Awesome job Christine You should be very proud of yourself and all you have achieved.
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Marilyn King16/08/2023
Well done you are a great inspiration. I hope all your dreams are achieved.
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Sarah King16/08/2023
Congratulations Christine Well done on such a great documentary
Loved your story and would also be keen to help you to understand the pathway to the Paralympics Please feel free to get in touch through our organisations website www.equine pathways.org.au. I would be very happy to help you CheersJulia
Christine I wish you luck. It was a great story about you.
Well done Christine such strength and commitment
Phenomenal Christine So impressed to know you are forging ahead with such strength and with determination to reach your goals and make the world a better place.
You amaze me every day Christine. Good luck for the film festival competition.
Great film. Good luck
All the best Christine. Youve done a great job.
Woohoo Christine proud is an under statement I love your passion your drive and your will to achieve all your goals regardless of lifes challenges. Super Proud of you. You are an inspiration to everyone your a legend.
Christine I wish you all the very best always...Microsoft beautiful Congratulations also with your horses Well done Christine
You go Christine Love the video technology and horses who could ask for more. But most of all I love your ambition energy and spunk Keep going cant wait to see you at Microsoft one day
Amazing as always Congratulations Christine
Awesome job Christine You should be very proud of yourself and all you have achieved.
Well done you are a great inspiration. I hope all your dreams are achieved.
Congratulations Christine Well done on such a great documentary