EMBRACING LIFE WITHOUT SIGHT

In 2017, my life changed forever. One moment, the world was vivid and bright, and the next, it was shrouded in darkness. The accident that took away my sight felt like a cruel twist of fate, but what I didn’t realize at the time was how much it would also give me.

At first, I struggled with the overwhelming sense of loss. Everything I had taken for granted now seemed like a distant memory—colors, faces, the beauty of a sunrise. It felt like I had been thrown into a world where I had to relearn how to live, not just in the practical sense but also emotionally. I battled with frustration, anger, and sadness. Why had this happened to me?

But in those darkest days, a quiet resolve began to grow within me. I realized that while I could no longer see with my eyes, there were other ways to perceive the world. My other senses began to sharpen—sounds, smells, and even textures took on new significance. I began to “see” with my ears, hearing the rustling of leaves, the hum of distant conversations, and the rhythm of footsteps on a sidewalk. Touch became my map of the world, guiding me through spaces I once navigated effortlessly.

I also discovered an incredible resilience within myself. I learned how to use assistive technology, how to move through the world with a cane, and how to seek help when I needed it. The hardest lesson was accepting that asking for help didn’t make me weak—it made me strong.

There were moments of doubt, of course. Some days, the frustration would rise again, especially when people around me didn’t know how to respond to my new reality. But I chose to approach life with humor, kindness, and patience. Slowly, I began to see the beauty in the world again, though in a different way. I started to appreciate things that sight had once overshadowed—the warmth of a friend's hand, the sound of laughter, the comfort of a familiar voice.

Most importantly, I realized that life doesn’t stop when sight is lost. My goals, my dreams, and my passions were still very much alive. I pursued my diploma in Human Resource Management, not as a person defined by disability, but as someone who still had so much to offer the world. I learned that adversity isn’t the end of the story—it’s a chapter, a plot twist that leads to growth and transformation.

Today, I embrace life without sight, not because it’s easy, but because I’ve discovered strength in myself I never knew existed. The darkness no longer feels like an enemy. Instead, it’s a companion that has taught me the true meaning of resilience, hope, and living fully. Sight may have been taken from me, but in return, I’ve gained a new vision—one that’s rooted in the heart, the mind, and the spirit.

And for that, I am deeply grateful.