The news hit hard early in the New Year when we heard that Radt, a blind teenage boy residing at the Camillian Home in Lat Krabang, who had made great strides dealing with his disabilities, was diagnosed with muscular sclerosis (MS). We thought then that this crippling disease, which affects the central nervous system, was going to his highest hurdle yet. However, it’s a moot point now, as sadly, he succumbed to his illness last week. (See HIV and autoimmune diseases).
Radt was abandoned by his parents when he was 7 years old. After that, his grandparents tried to take care of him but they were unable, so they sent him to the temple. But then the monks realized that he was losing his sight (see HIV and blindness). It was then that a social worker referred him to the Camillian Center in Rayong in 2006 where he stayed until the Camillian Home for the handicapped was established in 2008.
Radt never rested on his laurels learning Braille, guitar and walking with a white cane to the extent that he could get on a bus and go around the city on his own. We last saw him at their Christmas fest and he was performing with his guitar and singing like he was on top of the world.
We knew him from the beginning and watched him grow, develop and become a great role model for perseverance. He was a well-liked young man, only 16 and he will be sorely missed.
