adminwho keeps on trying, one armed with hope that he or she will rise even to the greatest of all heights.
As a community we tend to shun people with disabilities even going to the extent of calling them “cursed”, but is it not time to re-dedicate ourselves in creating a just society?
Nelson Mandela once said: “If I were to be granted one wish it would be for Africans to dedicate ourselves to turn the nation into a place free of hatred and discrimination.”
When The Herald met Tafadzwa Nyamuziwa, dressed in a T-shirt, pair of blue jeans and designer shades, my first impression was that he was an athlete.
I stretched out my hand to greet him, but he did not stretch out his. We then sat down so we could start the interview then he mentioned he was blind.
Tafadzwa, who is now 27 years old, was diagnosed with a rare disease known as retinal detachment and was operated on in late 2008 by one of the best ophthalmologists in the country.
“Before the operation, I started having impaired vision, I would see during the day but would not be able to see during the night.
“Then I decided to seek medical attention and I was told I had uvitis. I decided to seek a second opinion from another GP who advised me to go see a specialist,” he said
Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localised, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness.
It is a medical emergency.
The retina is a thin layer of light sensitive tissue on the back wall of the eye. The optical system of the eye focuses light on the retina much like light is focused on the film in a camera.
The retina translates that focused image into neural impulses and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve.
Occasionally, posterior vitreous detachment, injury or trauma to the eye or head may cause a small tear in the retina.
The tear allows vitreous fluid to seep through it under the retina, and peel it away like a bubble in wallpaper.
After the operation Tafadzwa was always in and out of hospital going for reviews but the situation did not seem to get any better.
What the doctors thought to be a treatable ailment turned out to be a nightmare for him. On May 16, 2009, Tafadzwa fell completely blind.
He had to adapt from being able to see to being blind.
Tafadzwa attended the Dorothy Duncan Braille Rehabilitation Centre in Harare, where he learnt how to use computers, Braille and daily living skills. Daily living skills comprised of how to bath, dress and eat.
Tafadzwa added: “When you can see, you become lazy to think. When you are blind, you take time to think your every step through.”
He uses his other senses to navigate himself around.
There is an old an adage which says “when going through difficult times, there are very few friends to help you get back on your feet, but if times are good they are there in abundance.”
Such was the scenario with Tafadzwa as most of his friends turned their backs on him. The more friends that came to see if it was really true that he had gone blind, the less they returned.
“Others passed comments like ‘This surely is a double tragedy, being an orphan and now you are blind’. I got to know the real friends and the fake ones,” he said.
As Tafadzwa explained the challenges and disappointments from society, his emotions showed on his face.
He lost weight, dropping 12 kilogrammes in a week and would sleep with the light on, hoping that he would wake up from the “nightmare” he was living.
Afraid to face society, the only place he expected to get help was his church, but like everyone else, the church did not give him the support he expected.
It did not live up to what they preach at their services every Sunday.
“Love your neighbour and treat him in a way you would want to be treated,” we hear them say, but somehow we tend not to practise what we preach.
One of his close friends George Bango never left his side. He would visit him and they would share different scriptures from the Bible together. After two suicide attempts he realised there was no need to keep pushing himself down and asking himself the question “why me?”
He said the biblical scripture that got him to change his attitude was that of Jeremiah 29 v 11.
“I read the scripture which says ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you’.
“I am slowly overcoming my fears,” he revealed.
Tafadzwa was awarded a one-year scholarship to study entrepreneurship at the International Institute of Social Entrepreneurs in India.
And he has decided to use his background to start a project to help other blind people.
The project will have a resource centre to conscientise them about HIV and Aids as most campaigns do not cater for the blind people, he said.
The project will also include computer skills, job placement and motivational classes, as being blind does not mean you cannot work.
The project will cater for all ages.
He also added that he was open to donations as the project is still trying to get on its feet.
“I get most of my inspiration from Dean Dibilis, who is also blind, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. I look up to these people because they also have some problems they went through but when they
want to achieve something they never give up despite their challenges,” he added.
Tafadzwa who proved to be a warm-hearted young man, has this smile that you cannot seem to wipe off his face as he was narrating his past experiences.
One that caught my attention was the fact that he could not get any accommodation because of his condition.
“Just because I am blind does not mean I cannot look after myself or the environment I am in, and besides I have someone to help me out,” he said with a bit of emotion in his voice.
He expressed gratitude to SOS Children’s Home for all the help and support they gave him during his stay at the home, when he was in hospital.
He said even after the surgery they were still there to help him soldier on. He said: “Not only blindness limits people, always have a positive attitude, be who you want to be and remember you are the one who limits yourself.”
He added: “Society should not try to outclass people with disabilities in terms of jobs and accommodation, we just as human as anybody else.”
Online Reporter