BORN with retinal coloboma, Arvind Seelean has always experienced the world differently through his impaired vision.
“I often describe it as a faulty phone camera. Imagine opening your phone camera and shaking it until everything goes out of focus. Then try looking at something in the blurred background. That is what my vision feels like,” the 22-year-old shared.
But that has not deterred him from living life to the fullest.
Having graduated from Monash University Malaysia with a Bachelor of Psychological Science on April 12, he has gone on to pursue honours in psychology and is now working closely with his supervisor, Dr Adriana Ortega, on research.
He hopes this path will lead to doctoral studies and eventually a career in academia.
“I would like to work in a university one day,” he said.
The Selangor native, who was born and raised in Puchong, said psychology is where his interests in science and helping others came together.
Growing up, Arvind’s curiosity about science developed early. Inspired by nature documentaries and fascinated by discovery, he originally envisioned a future in medicine or the natural sciences.
However, during his A-Levels, practical laboratory sessions made him realise some pathways might not suit him.
Because of his visual impairment and shaky hands, experiments often required assistance.
“It highlighted some of the things I struggled with, but I slowly understood that there are simply things I cannot do, and that is okay,” he said.
That setback eventually led him to the possibility of making a difference through psychology.
“I wanted to stay connected to science while helping people, as helping others gives me a real sense of purpose,” he said in a May 4 press release.
Looking back on his tertiary education journey, Arvind credited varsity staff and peers for his positive experience, despite challenges such as assessments that required recorded presentations, which he found particularly difficult.
“All my tutors and lecturers were incredibly supportive. They would share slides in advance, check in after class and make sure things were manageable,” he said, adding that even security personnel would help him locate his e-hailing ride when needed.
Friendship also shaped his university experience, with friends helping him navigate unfamiliar spaces and read projected material in class.
But what truly anchored him was family support.
His father, a semi-retired accountant, and his mother, a former lawyer turned homemaker, supported him throughout his years of study, including regular visits to Singapore for specialist eye evaluations.
His older brother also played an important role in his formative years, reading things aloud and explaining what was happening on television.
Outside academics, Arvind enjoys board games and often plays with friends on campus or at board game cafés, adapting by asking others to read cards aloud or using his phone camera to enlarge the board.
An avid audiobook listener, he has found technology helpful in making reading more accessible.
Another passion is trading card games, which has seen him compete at a semi-professional level.
Making progress
Arvind has certainly come a long way since infancy, when his parents realised he responded more readily to voices than visual cues.
As a child attending a Chinese vernacular school, keeping up in class presented many challenges. He often struggled to see the whiteboard and follow lessons.
He later transferred to an international school, where accommodations such as extra time and enlarged examination papers made learning more accessible.
Even then, he said, many aspects of learning required additional effort.
“Reading textbooks took much longer, and seeing whiteboards or classroom monitors was often difficult,” he shared.
Outside the classroom, daily life brought its own challenges. Team sports involving hand-eye coordination were often out of reach, while navigating public spaces independently was not always straightforward.
“Malaysia is not always pedestrian-friendly. Uneven pavements, potholes and the fact that I cannot drive made getting around more difficult,” he said.
Currently, beyond conducting research, Arvind hopes to create impact through advocacy, including one day establishing a non-governmental organisation to support children and adolescents with physical disabilities.
Speaking openly about disability has become part of that mission for him.
For much of his life, Arvind said he felt encouraged to minimise his disability, but over time he embraced a different perspective.
“Owning it has felt more fulfilling,” he said.
He hopes that sharing his experiences will challenge assumptions and encourage greater awareness.
To others facing limitations, he offered this advice: “Pursue education, know your strengths and keep moving forward.”
