From Sightless to Stick‑to‑Stick: How a 12‑Year‑Old Turns the World Cup Sticker Craze into an Accessible Adventure
Picture this: a little boy in Venezuela, blind as a bat, turning the frenzy of World Cup sticker albums into a mission of ingenuity. Meet Sebastian Filoramo, a 12‑year‑old from Barquisimeto who’s swapping eyes for textured excitement.
“Dad’s a Real Genius”
Sebastian’s dad, a master of creative problem‑solving, asked, “Wanna fill the album? Let’s give it a Braille twist.” With a trusty Braille machine, the duo turned ordinary stickers into tactile treasures.
“I never thought I’d see a trophy in the dark,” Sebastian chuckles, all while holding his Argentine jersey—because soccer isn’t limited by vision, it’s limited only by imagination.
How It Works: Stickers, Braille, and Sticky Situations
First came the transparent adhesive paper. Sebastian wrote names and numbers in Braille—one careful dot at a time. Then, with a little help from his dad, gummy edges were placed just right so the cards fit snugly into the album.
- Step 1: Buy the spotless stickers.
- Step 2: Convert names and numbers to Braille.
- Step 3: Glue the edges carefully.
- Step 4: Slip them into the album—tattoo‑like precision!
The Mighty Quest for 600 Stickers
The Qatar World Cup kicks off on November 20, and Sebastian’s album will need around 600 stickers—a colossal pile of textured love. Despite being so young, his mind is already full of strategy:
“I’m rolling through the list, one player at a time. It’s like a treasure hunt but in paper form.
Teacher’s Corner: Homework Meets Hands‑On Guidance
Yohelis Nelo, the school teacher, steps in to offer a double scoop: “Let’s finish the homework first, then we’ll turn these into a fun project.” The teacher adds a bit of humor, but the support remains solid.
The Most Thrilling Moment
One day, after rummaging through a random pack, Sebastian’s fingers tingled with excitement as Lionel Messi’s image was uncovered. The boy’s facial expression turned from “confused” to “eyes‑only wow!” even if he can’t see them.
“It’s not about seeing—just feeling each detail and knowing it’s on the list,” Sebastian proudly says, reminding us all that passion shines brighter than vision.
In the World of Football, Everyone Can Play
From initial dad‑inspired prototypes to the final tacked‑and‑traced masterpiece, Sebastian’s journey turns a childhood love of soccer into a triumph of resilience—proof that life’s toughest obstacles can become the coolest adventures.
