JENNIFER EVANS

            
According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, “sight is the process or power of seeing, the sense of which the eye is the receptor and by which qualities of appearance (position, shape, color) are perceived” and “perception is awareness of one’s environment through physical sensation.” Not everyone has sight, but everyone has a perception of his or her surroundings. Each person perceives differently. I have better perception than sight. I see life in a different light. I try to see the beauty of every situation and keep an optimistic mindset.

 

At the age of four, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. JRA is a childhood disease that causeS  inflamed, swollen joints that are often stiff and painful. Growing up with such a condition can hinder one’s childhood. We take many daily activities, such as walking, for granted. There were times when my knees would swell and prevent me from walking. I can remember crawling to my parents’ room and being carried around. One of the effects of JRA is iris inflammation which affects the middle layers of the eye. Iris inflammation causes eye redness and irritation, blurred vision, eye pain, increased sensitivity to light, and vision with floating spots. I grew up with this condition from the age of ten. I was examined by general practitioners, specialists, and ophthalmologists. All were baffled by my problem, but tried to help me with various treatments. Unfortunately, my sight worsened. In sixth grade, I could not see the overhead projector. In seventh grade, I could not see the board; in eighth grade, I had an in-class support teacher. In the year 2001, I visited a doctor in Perth Amboy who told me I was legally blind. This was a turning point of my life and I began to question why. I started to doubt myself, the doctors, and my religion. I could not understand why God would punish me in such a way. Despite the constant problems, I maintained my faith and forged ahead. Little did I know that more problems were on the way!

 

Iris inflammation can lead to other complications. I developed cataracts on my lens. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. In 2002, the doctors performed my first cataract surgery. In the tenth grade, I could no longer see the print on any paper document. I had another operation in 2004 because the retina in my right eye was detaching. The doctors had to perform a delicate surgery; one incorrect move could cause complete blindness in my right eye. The surgery was well executed, although I lost most of my sight in the process. My vision is now 20/80 in my left eye and I am blind in my right eye. I have a prosthetic lens in my left eye and no lens in my right eye.

 

Through all the complications and the tears, I encouraged myself and used my situation to benefit others. A common theme in the Bible is, ‘what the devil meant for evil, God meant for good.’  Even though I do not have much sight, I perceive things in a different way than others. A poem that I have read says to give sound to the deaf and bring the blind to nature.  When one of the senses is taken away or diminished, what remains is cherished. Even though I am not fully sighted, I am thankful and blessed in many ways. I joined the Commission for the Blind, the Lead Program, Camp Marcella, Drew University Summer Program, and The National Federation of the Blind. By joining these organizations, I learned leadership, advocacy, determination, and independence. I was introduced to life-long friends and mentors and have become a mentor myself. I visit different functions and spread my story. I do my best not to bemoan my loss of sight as an excuse. I attend regular academic classes and compete in physical and sports activities at the same level as others, while achieving my goals. My condition has made me stronger and has opened my eyes to see that good can come from bad. I give thanks to the teachers who did not help me in class; they forced me to earn the grade on my own. Whenever I tell my story, I do not say I have poor sight. Everyone learns that only my perception is different.