Despite the challenges he faces because of a degenerative eye disease, there is hope and a way he will be able to become independent and able to work – he just needs a little help.
There are many things in life we take for granted, and one of those is the gift of sight. Small things like being able to make coffee, walking down the stairs, going grocery shopping, working, driving and being able to see our family and friends.
These are all things Matthew Ivan (23), fondly called Matt, from General Alberts Park needs to do with help from someone or technology.
Life with retinitis pigmentosa
Matt was born visually impaired and was diagnosed with rare condition retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 11. He was classified legally blind at the age of 17 and had cataract surgery when he was 21.
Being blind, he had no option but to adjust to life with constant progressive vision loss. Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment.
Symptoms often begin in childhood, which include decreased night vision or in low light and loss of side vision (tunnel vision).
There is no cure.
“The disease causes tunnel vision, and a way to understand this is to take an empty toilet roll holder and hold it up to your eye. What you see is how Matt sees the world, but without clear vision. The tunnel will get smaller and smaller. Matt’s tunnel is the size of a straw,” his mother, Michelle, explained.
Against all odds
Despite his disability, Matt has excelled academically.
He had no peripheral vision and had poor central vision while at school.
“Something as simple as walking into the class was daunting as he couldn’t see obstacles or the chalkboard,” said Michelle.
Despite these challenges, he matriculated in a mainstream school with the option to study for a bachelor’s degree.
After matriculating, he worked for a stationery supplier, pulling orders and packing them for customers and maintaining the storeroom. It reached a point where he could no longer read orders.
He enrolled at College South Africa and did an intro to web design course, which he enjoyed and did very well in. However, the fine detail of web design was very straining on his eyes and the simplest work took a long time.
In January 2020 he enrolled at SA College of Hair, Beauty & Health, doing a course in holistic (therapeutic) massage therapy. He passed his latest exams with three distinctions in anatomy, business management and professional conduct.
WATCH a video of Matt wearing the NuEyes Pro glasses.
Everyday challenges
To read on a phone or computer, Matt changes the contrast to white text on a black background and zooms into the desired text size.
Matt carries a white ID cane to let people know he’s visually impaired, and he is guided by whoever is with him.
“When shopping, he is reliant on a guide to get him to the desired product and read the price for him,” said Michelle.
Upon paying, whoever is guiding him needs to ensure he has privacy when putting his bank card PIN in.
He cannot recognise the faces of people.
A miracle
Matt had an appointment to try a military-grade pair of glasses (NuEyes Pro) in 2020.
According to Matt, this appointment was life-changing.
These glasses have ‘TV screens’ in front of the eyes and with the aid of cameras and buttons, he could zoom in and out of the text and people’s faces.
“For the first time in more than two years, I was able to see the faces of my mom and dad, and it was incredibly emotional for us,” said Matt.
“As with most technological advances, the chance for Matt to improve his vision, the chance for him to gain employment and contribute towards society while being able to become financially independent, comes at a huge price.
The glasses cost USD8 000 (approximately R117 800), which is sadly out of reach for him.
“I have created a BackaBuddy campaign to get others to donate to Matt’s cause. We need to raise R130 000 for the glasses.”
You can help give Matt the gift of sight
“A small donation can make a massive difference. If enough people donate, it can change Matt’s life,” Michelle concluded.
Those who would like to donate can visit his BackaBuddy page.
For more information, contact his mother on 084 947 5002.
