Despite having lost his eyesight in an workplace accident, Low Wee Keong has risen to the occasion to be a shining example for those with vision disabilities.

He had just taken part in his first cooking competition organised by a Chinese daily and is awaiting the results.

“I am so excited that I could take part in the competition as it is my first experience and hope to make it all the way to the finals,” said Low when met at the sidelines of the St Nicholas Home reopening recently.

Although he does not dwell too much on the loss of his sight, he is grateful that he managed to learn to cook from his younger days from his mother.

“I learned to cook when I was in primary school and there on, I was able to fend for myself.

‘My cooking is mostly done with feel, smell and taste.

“I would encourage more visually impaired people to take up cooking as it may be harder for us but one will become used to making the dishes over time.

“Initially many of my own friends had warned me not to cook as it may be dangerous for people with vision impairment,” added Low who was an aircraft engineer till 2007.

He added that he even edits all of his YouTube content material which is uploaded. He has to date uploaded 39 “Blind in the kitchen” episodes since he started last December. The response has been encouraging.

“I have also made a decision to teach other people who are blind to take up editing.

“My advice to new and upcoming YouTubers is to be level headed and not get carried away by the occasion, attention and popularity. Like everything in life it is only temporary, so make good while it lasts.

“And do not ask for too much,” adds Low.

He also added that the most important thing for the visually impaired is not the cane anymore but the handphone.

“With the handphone, one can do almost anything like to make a call for the taxi, Grab, order food, and of course communicate,” added Low.

Low often does his own marketing for his cooking sessions. He has a friend, Alex Khoo, who helps him to go with to the market once a week.

Low who is now 45, still lives with his mother who is 75 years-old in Bukit Mertajam.