In this heartfelt TEDx talk, James shares how losing his sight revealed the everyday privileges often taken for granted. Reflecting on his near-failure in school, he explores how that struggle became a turning point—shifting his mindset from frustration to appreciation. Through vivid storytelling, he sheds light on the realities of education for visually impaired students and the resilience it demands, offering a powerful reminder that limitations can spark purpose, growth, and deeper human connection. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, known as James, is a passionate advocate for accessibility and personal development, particularly for individuals with visual impairments. His own journey with vision loss has fueled his commitment to creating positive change and empowering others. As the Founder and Director of ScriVi, he leads a programme that provides professional and assistive technology training for blind and visually impaired individuals, helping them build successful careers. He has also played a key role in improving accessibility in academia, leading initiatives at the University of Exeter to enhance policies, staff training, and student resources. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx