Looking ahead with confidence

It was in the middle of October 2005 that tragedy struck a young girl, just 22 years old. Rachuru Ramya was diagnosed with aphakia with nystagmus at LVPEI, Hyderabad. She had lost vision in both eyes due to advanced glaucoma in the right eye and phthsis bulbi in the left eye. She was referred to the Vision Rehabilitation Services and ocular Prosthesis Department and given a customized prosthesis for her left eye for better cosmesis.

Her mother brought her to LVPEI Visakhapatnam for rehabilitation services. She had diffculty performing her daily tasks and moving about independently, and was unable to work on the computer. She was studying M com and was counseled and motivated to continue her education. The Rehabilitation team also helped her to obtain a medical certificate and a railway concession certificate. She was trained in JAWS, the special computer software for visually challenged persons. Ramya was also given orientation and mobility training, such as how to use a cane, and taught protective and search techniques so she could be independent both indoors and outdoors. She was motivated to undergo home management training for independent household work and counseled about other modes of education.

Ramya successfully completed her M.com and scored 70%. She was depressed about not getting a job. The Rehabilitation centre provided her information on government positions for visually challenged women at Visakhapatnam. Ramya qualified for the junior assistant's job. She and her family are very thankful to LVPEI for securing her future.