WATCH: Blind teen motivating others to see beyond disability

Despite having lost her vision at the age of 11, Jessica Pita of Alphen Park has continued to achieve her goals.

The 19-year-old, who is classified as legally blind, lives to share her courageous journey with people about how she overcomes day-to-day struggles as a blind person through motivational speaking (Mission with a Vision brand), online platforms and a podcast called Flying Blind.

Having grown up as a healthy normal young girl, life took a dramatic turn on May 13, 2014, when she developed a brain tumour that caused swelling on her optic nerves.

“Some of the symptoms that I had were intense headaches and blackouts in my vision.

“After many consultations and MRI’s scans we were told that I had to undergo an 11-hour operation or I had six to 12 months to live.

“My parents decided to proceed with the operation but due to the swelling of optic nerve done by the tumour, I lost my vision after the operation.”

At the time she said she was too young to understand but when she eventually did, she knew she had to adjust to her new normal.

Her mom, Paula, recalls her desperate plea to the specialist, asking whether she could exchange eyes with her daughter. The specialist said this was impossible.

“As a mother, I felt heartbroken because Jessica’s new life was just beginning.

“Things were hard at first because she wanted to continue studying at a mainstream school with her friends and we didn’t know how we would make things work.

“I went with her to school from the third term in Grade Five and completed the rest of her junior school career with her.

“I would copy work from the board into her books, as she could not see the work written on the boards.

“We then purchased desktop magnifiers, which assisted her to be able to read and write in her books.

“We also adjusted her writing books to books printed with darker lines. She was more dependent on audio than visual,” said Paula.

St Dominic’s accommodated Jessica by installing Tv screens linked to smart boards.

Jessica also had to apply for accommodations and concessions through the IEB for the writing of tests and exams and to get extra time as reading her work took longer.

She would write her tests and exams in separate venues as she would have these verbally read to her.

Jessica’s answers and those of her scribe were voice recorded in the presence of an invigilator.

The Benoni teen believes a lot more awareness is needed in schools to educate learners about disabilities.

“Some of my peers were not properly informed of how serious my condition was and I lost many friends because of my impairment. It felt like a burden at times.

“Classmates commented that I was cheating because I had a scribe and that it was unfair that I was given extra time during assessments.

“I was accused of lying about my disability as I had trained myself to memorise the layout of the school to gain mobility and independence.

“I am one to not let things get to me, so I didn’t take notice of what they said,” Jessica explained.

Over the years, Jessica has experienced the different ways able and disable people are treated.

“I want to create awareness about disability to get a message across that equality is important, especially for disabled people because they are going through enough as it is.

“If a person has a disability they should be treated like everyone else,” she said.

Studying towards a teaching qualification at the University of Pretoria, Jessica has done talks at Apricot Tree Centre as well as Crossroads Christian Academy with more schools lined up in weeks to come.

She said the support she receives from her mother, father and brothers, Daniel and Claudio, has pushed her to carry on doing whatever she sets her mind to.
Jessica can enjoy horse riding, singing, drums and outdoor activities like Go ape on her own.

Her message to others is: “Get to know someone before making assumptions about their capabilities.”

To invite Jessica to present a motivational talk at your school, event or function connect with her on Instagram or TikTok @x_flyingblind_x or email flying1blind@gmail.com.

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