Defying the Odds: The Inspiring Journey of Engineer John Kenneth Lim 

December 14, 2023 - "𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰 𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘣𝘢 𝘱𝘰, 𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘯 𝘱𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘪, 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰 𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪."

In today's competitive world, where barriers hinder dreams, some still persevere and continue to regain strength for their goals. Engr. John Kenneth Lim, a person with a disability, not only broke these barriers but rose above them, becoming an engineer through determination, perseverance, and passion.

Engr. Lim is an RSU Alumnus who completed a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and recently graduated in April 2023. As a person with a congenital disability, he took every road with solid determination and perseverance believing that someday, his dreams and aspirations in life would happen.

His success story started when he grabbed the opportunity to pursue his dreams of attaining higher education at Romblon State University under the College of Engineering and Technology.

This journey was neither easy nor convenient compared to other students around the campus. He never thought that he was different; instead, he believed he was as strong and brilliant as the regular students he encountered.

He found a vibrant environment during his college years with learning opportunities and invaluable experiences. Initially, stepping into his first year, he felt a self-conscious but was eager to absorb knowledge and swiftly adapt to the diverse community he immersed himself in.

Engr. Lim is immensely grateful to the instructors and professors of CET whose unwavering support made a significant impact on his journey. The classroom sessions and actual engineering activities have been instrumental in his growth and even helped him perform well during his On-the-Job Training (OJT). For him, it's not just about experience in engineering tasks but also about personal and character development that he has gained throughout. These experiences tested and taught him to become more responsible, patient, and disciplined. His mindset has been shaped to give his best at all times consistently.

He also added, it is true that engineering is not for quitters.

"Oo lahat po ng kurso is mahirap sa kani-kanilang paraan/sistema pero pagdating po sa Engineering hindi po uubra yung pa chill-chill, sa Engineering po darating ka sa punto na ginugusto mo ng huminto at magshift at yung iba po is ganun po talaga nangyayare tanging yung mga buo at desidido lamang po yung nananatili, gugustuhin mong magshift nalang pero mas nangingibabaw po yung kagustuhang matapos at lumaban dahil alam namin sa sarili namin na para sa amin po ang Engineering na magiging Engineer din kami sa tamang oras".

As a graduate of Free Higher Education, he considered himself privileged and honored to study at no exorbitant educational costs.

"Naging malaking factor po yung Free Tuition Education sa RSU, nakatulong po sa mga kagaya ko pong kapos po financially, mas naging abot-kamay po ang Engineering na kurso/career, mas nakapag focus po sa pag-aaral dahil less na po sa iisipin yung bayarin sa tuition at iba pa pong Expenses gaya ng mga pagsali sa iba't-ibang competition/contest. Mas nagkaroon ng laya mga estudyante ipakita yung skills and talents po ng walang iniisip na gastusin."

His disability posed no hindrance to his admission or experience within the school. The momentous day that he received his diploma last April 2023 became an inspiration to all. Many rooted for his success in passing the board exam after his graduation video went viral online.

There is no turning back in the quest that he started. After graduation, he enrolled in a review center in Manila and spent his days and nights preparing for the licensure examination for civil engineering. His life mantra, "One step at a time, the best thing in life takes time and effort", was one of his motivations during his review days.

On November 25, all the trials, battles, and heights he hurdled paid off, after successfully passing the coveted achievement, the board licensure examination for civil engineering.

Engineer Lim was one of the

thirty new successful licensed civil engineers of Romblon State University.

After all these achievements, Engr. Lim wants to send an important message to those with the same battles as him, for the same persons with determination, and the organizations in our society.

For him, it is very important for institutions to continuously conduct programs/activities where everyone, including students like him, can participate. Programs that aim to impart knowledge and awareness to strengthen the capabilities of every student, especially those with disabilities realizing that they are not different from others and, most importantly, that they can do as much as anyone else, if not more.

"Sa paraang ito mas mararamdaman ng mga PWD students na included sila sa lahat ng oras na hindi sila naiiba sa lahat at lalong-lalo na, kaya din nilang gawin kung ano man [ang] nagagawa ng iba kung hindi man ay mas higit pa.”

Engr. Lim's story echoes to every Romblomanon. He serves as a beacon of hope to those who aspire to the impossible, breaking the stereotypes for those who are considered to have limitations in doing greater things.

May this story continue to inspire all of us to help and boost one another to grow and reach our desired successes. Through the support and faith in what all of us can do, achieving aspirations becomes more feasible, allowing us to make a greater impact and leave a lasting legacy towards a more empowering, harmonious and inclusive community and country.

Source/Credits: RSU Media & Public Affairs