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Against the odds Blind Chef Christine Ha Crowned "MasterChef" From the moment she took those first tentative steps onto the national stage, amateur chef Christine Ha captured America's heart. During the season 3 “MasterChef" finale. Ha won the title, $250.000, and a cookbook deal. beating out about I 00 other home chefs. But that's not what makes her so inspiring. Ha is blind the first blind contestant on the show. "I think there are a lot of people who completely discounted me," Ha said. "People will say, 'What is she doing? ls she going to cut her finger off?' But I cooked at home for years without vision, so if I can do it at home. I don't see why I can't prove to everyone else I can do it on national TV”. Week after week, the 33-yearold. who lives in Houston. Texas. managed to whip up culinary masterpieces with only her senses of taste, smell, and touch to guide her. "I couldn't see what anyone else was doing, I was solely focused on myself. and I think that helped me. It gave me an advantage," she said. "When I came out of it. it was the most stressful. intense experience of my life, it was amazing. ·· Ha lost nearly all of her eyesight about five years ago after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerves. '·When I lost my vision. there was one time I tried to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," she said. "I recall getting it all over the counter. I just started crying and was wondering if I would ever cook again." But she did more than pick herself up off the counter. She started her own blog, which is how the producers of "MasterChef" discovered her. Now an official "MasterChef." Ha said. ..., just want people to realize that they have it in themselves if they really want to. If they have that passion, that fire, that drive. that desire ... you can overcome any obstacle and any challenges to really achieve what you want and prove yourself to the world. Everyone is very capable. Much more capable than they think they arc."