John Justine Fernandes with his mother and wife.
PANAJI
Born to Julie and the late Cedric Fernandes, John Justine Fernandes was born deaf, with over 90% hearing loss. Despite this, he takes on many roles — as president of the Goa Sport Council of the Deaf (2021–2025), executive board member of the All India Sports Council of the Deaf (2023–2027), vice president of the Goa Association of the Deaf (2022–2026), and earlier as Goa ICON for the Deaf in 2019 and for the Christmas Games in 2016. Justine says he could reach these positions only because of the support from his friends and family: “I organise events for my deaf friends. Every year we come up with enlightening adventures and celebrations in our group. I am nothing without my team!”
Justine also works to support cultural activities for deaf and hearing-impaired children, by organising events that include extra learning and development sessions. He enjoys social gatherings, spending time with family, and going on fun outings. He also loves exploring new places and going on adventurous rides with his friends on his Bullet motorcycle. He prefers being around positive people who motivate him.
Justine has a creative mind and enjoys making unique thermocol centrepieces, wall decorations, flowers, and other designs. Apart from painting, he also creates wedding invitation cards with unique ideas and takes up orders from friends. At 40, he actively plays both indoor and outdoor games and takes part in sports events across India.
A resident of St Jose de Areal in Salcete, Justine completed higher secondary studies at Fr Agnel Ashram in Verna, where he learnt computer skills. He then took a diploma in computer graphics from Polytechnic in Porvorim. With these skills, he worked at Tech Force ACFD (2004–06), then at David and Co (2007–11), and later secured a government job as a work assistant in the Water Resources Department at Gogol.
Justine credits his friends, relatives and wife, Remya Sara Mathew, for being his support system. Remya, who is also deaf and uses sign language, holds a diploma in jewellery design and was the best trainee at the Oorja training centre in Kochi. Before marriage, she worked as a documentation executive for two years. “Remya not only became a partner in my journey of life, but joined as an additional member to my loving family,” smiles Justine. The couple has two daughters, Celin and Ciana.
Being born deaf brought challenges for Justine, especially while trying to make friends as a child, since many could not understand him. Instead, he formed a close bond with his sister Jennifer, his brother Macbel, and his parents. It was thanks to Jennifer that Justine managed to attend a regular school — Bethany Convent High School.
“We both sat on the last bench, as my explaining to him what the teacher said, would often distract other children in class. So all the years from class I to X, we sat on the last bench. Our family developed our own sign language, which we used for communicating with Justine, and that’s how I could explain him what the teacher taught in class,” says Jennifer, Justine’s sister.
“It was hard to overcome the challenge for me as communication during education, interaction with the society and living day-to-day life. I schooled in a regular school, and did not learn formal sign language. My sign language was simple and easy so that all could understand and communicate with me. It’s been very difficult to make a normal person to talk or pass the response with sign language, but it was my challenge to develop my own sign language and I have achieved it,” shares Justine.
His family’s support helped him grow. They stood by him emotionally, physically and mentally through all the ups and downs. Their guidance helped him deal with difficult situations smoothly.
“My family supported every decision I took, especially my mother, after my father’s demise. She is the lighthouse of my life,” says Justine, who is now financially independent with a secure government job.
“My goal is to see that deaf/hearing impaired people enjoy equality in everything and India should be at forefront in offering complete emotional support to persons with disabilities and be their backbone. It saddens me that a person like me had to struggle for years to get driving license for two and four wheeler. After my repeated applications from 2010, I finally got both my licenses in 2025. The system should be more emphatic towards PwDs,” he adds.
Justine’s message to society is clear: “Never underestimate a person with disability, or never disappoint him by saying that you are not capable, until and unless you are aware of their capability. The parents should give their impaired children an important space in their family. Consider them as a valuable member, and encourage them so that they make you proud. As charity begins at home, if a child is treated well at home, the society also will do the same.”
