“Life without goals, travel without destination”: The 1st blind graduate of AUTh in Political Science

“I believe that life without goals is a journey without a destination. So, now I feel very proud and happy that one of these goals, I achieved today “. With these words in the post he made on the personal profile he maintains on a social networking website, Lefteris Zygouras, announced his graduation from the School of Political Science of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Lefteris Zygouras was born with a vision problem and at the age of ten, he lost it completely. This, however, never prevented him, in all aspects of his life, from dreaming, setting goals and achieving them, despite the difficulties he encountered in his journey.

“It was difficult. It was very difficult. If I did not have friends to help and support me, it would be even more so. “But they were all there and I thank them for that,” he told GRTimes.

Regarding his degree, he adds: “I knew that from this school I would hardly have a professional rehabilitation in the future. But I liked it. I am interested in politics, international relations. I also wanted it on a cognitive level. For knowledge only. And the AUTh staff was 90% completely cooperative if you consider that I am the first blind student in the Faculty of Political Science “.

The valuable help of friends

Referring to the help provided by his friends throughout his studies, Lefteris Zygouras reiterates that if there were not so many people next to him, the story probably would not have developed in the same way.

“First – first my friends helped me morally. I repeat that I was the first blind student of Political Science, so it was very difficult for me to complete all this on my own. Along the way, we became even more attached. “They supported me in finding teachers, in being able to find notes and then converting them into electronic form so that I could use them,” he emphasizes characteristically.

It was more difficult to get to AUTh – There are no audible signals

Regarding how difficult it is to study at a university for a visually impaired person, Lefteris Zygouras emphasizes that the most difficult part was getting to the campus.

“It was difficult despite the fact that I have been moving since I was a child. But the biggest problem was getting to university, as there are no audible signals anywhere. Do you know what it is like to try to cross Egnatia 9 in the morning and someone has to help you cross? In general, the problem with the audible signals is very big in the whole city and it is not the only one “, he emphasizes specifically.

As for the AUTh facilities? “I did not have a particular problem. I want to be fair. Inside the University there are blind guides and the paths inside are quite functional. “The only problem is that the campus is huge and you have to travel long distances,” he told GRtimes.

It is important that everyone acquires knowledge

Referring to the way of teaching and whether the teaching staff met the needs of a visually impaired student, Lefteris Zygouras explains to GRTimes that “here, we are referring to a very important part. The staff, as I said before, responded by 90%, but all this effort is important for me as well. Firstly because I want to wake up other blind people to leave their homes and secondly to give supplies to others. For example, when there is a second student in the Faculty of Political Science, the teachers will know what to do and how to handle the situation in order to facilitate his studies “.

Sports and music

Of course, studies are only one aspect to which Lefteris Zygouras has dedicated himself in recent years until he manages to receive the valuable degree. But it is not his only interest.

In parallel with his studies, he is also involved in sports and especially in athletics, as a shot put and discus thrower in the sports club of Hephaestus.

During the quarantine, he managed to develop his lyrical talent in rap music. “Indeed, during the lockdown I had the opportunity to be very much with myself. “Whatever thoughts I made, I recorded them on paper and turned them into a song,” he notes.

In addition, in the few free hours he follows the team of Hercules in all sports, having a season ticket.

The days when his “sticklers” have no obligation, are the ones who take on the work of guides in everything. His friend Stavros, for example, will come early to pick him up from home. To lead him to Kaftanzogleio. And when the game starts, he is the one who conveys the image of the match.

Unless he wears a headset from the radio to listen to the broadcast from a sports station. But one headset, because with the other ear wants to hear the slogans…

grtimes.gr