SELINA Botha’s friends and family thought she would lose all hope when she lost her eyesight in 2015.
But the 40-year-old from Regents Park said losing her sight was a blessing in disguise.
From the age of 15 she wished to establish a support group for disabled individuals and the blind, but she could not realise her dream because she was working a five-to-five job.
“Working such hours is difficult because one can’t do certain things on the side. But with me now being blind, I have been able to do what I have desired since my childhood days,” she told the COURIER.
Coping with being blind
She explained to the COURIER she lost her sight to a retinal detachment.
“I was told by my doctors my retina wasn’t flat and resulted in me losing my sight. Operations were conducted, but still, I couldn’t get my sight back, so I had to accept I would be blind for the rest of my life,” said Selina.
She thought she wouldn’t be able to do things for herself, but that wasn’t the case. She was introduced to Johannesburg Society for the Blind, where she found help on how to cope with being blind.
“Living with people who are in a similar situation to you helps and challenges one to do better and great things,” Selina said.
Support for others
Earlier this year Selina established an organisation called Changing Lives Visual Impact and Disability.
They conduct home visits to blind and disabled people.
“Rehabilitation centres send people to us and we speak to them and assist where can.
“We also assist blind people who need help in finding a school. This is just the beginning. I want this organisation to be recognised worldwide,” she said.
