Mathias lives in Kirke Hyllinge in Central Zealand with his mother, father and little brother. He has been blind ever since he was almost newborn. Still, he feels like a seeing blind, as he calls it, since he doesn’t feel restricted by his visual impairment – something he and his parents have worked on throughout his life:

“There are some things for which I always need help. But I want to make sure there are as many things as I can do myself. My parents and I have done this too. I just want to be as independent and self-reliant as possible. ”

 

Treating me as if I were glass

Mathias has just started in the 10th grade center in Roskilde. And it takes some effort to adapt  to a new place, with new surroundings, teachers, support teachers and new friends:

“Many people have treated me a bit like glass. They either did not dare to ask about my visual impairment as they do not know how to ask me. Some people do not quite know how to tackle it. But the ones in my class are pretty good at telling me who they are. It is probably very natural that the “seeing people” do not know how to behave when they meet me. But I don’t think about it anymore, because I’ve experienced it so many times before. When we get to know each other a little better, they approach me and ask themselves. And then they can see that I’m just blind, but otherwise perfectly normal. After all, I have to get to know them too, because it takes two to a tango, ”Mathias says, adding:

“I have mainly visually impaired friends, but also some who are not. I don’t really know why, because I’ve always tried to surround myself with the seeing people. I think if I get to know a seeing person well, the person will know that I am normal. I also have to learn how things work in your world of vision. So, we are all human beings after all. ”

Try to play a FIFA match with your eyes closed and see how you do

 

When Mathias is free from school, he plays, among other things, FIFA on its PlayStation. He has learned to play despite not seeing the players:

“When I play Fifa, I pay close attention to how the audience reacts, and to the commentator, because they mention the name of the one I play. But it is really difficult and really requires a lot of concentration. Try to close your eyes and play a Fifa match so you can see how hard it is. ”

In real life, Mathias plays Goalball, which is the only team sport for the visually impaired. Although he is on the national team, it is still the social aspect of the game that appeals to him:

“I’m with others with visual impairments who feel just like me. And this is also where I have many good friends. ”

He also plays bass and take lessons from a bass teacher who is also blind. It is about much more than just music lessons:

“My bass teacher is blind and so is his wife. We play a little bass. But he also helps me with ordinary things – for example, how to fry meatballs or pancakes. It is a huge help to me that he has tried it all before, and can pass on his experience, which neither my parents nor other seeing persons can explain. He can help me with all sorts of things. ”

What does the fututre hold ?

Mathias sees his visual disability as a condition, but not as a limitation of what he would like to achieve in his life.

“I want to be a sports journalist, because I love sports. I want to do interviews with athletes, “he explains, and concludes:

“You have to live your life. One should not see challenges but opportunities. And then you have to make sure you get the best out of it. “