My name is Liaquat Ahmad. I am a 47 year old man with one grown child. This is my journey living with sight loss and the reason I started the charity.
I got up one morning and freshened up. While I was wiping my face, I realized I couldn’t see. I was confused; I was scared and didn’t know what was going on. I ended up in hospital having on-going tests and eventually the eye specialists diagnosed me with glaucoma.
This happened when I was 16 years old. After on-going regular treatments the consultant informed me that my eyesight at that time was stable. However I was then diagnosed with keratoconus (which occurs when the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye thins and gradually bulges outwards into a cone shape.) This led me onto having an eye operation so the eye specialists could correct my cornea, despite this, I continued my education, enjoying my life as a teenager with my family and friends and even passed my driving test which was a huge source of happiness for myself, brining me the independent that I really longed for.
As I grew older, my glaucoma worsened. I continued my day to day tasks, taking a wider interest in my hobbies and becoming the most capable person I could be.
I was reaching my 20s and I was in and out of hospital with regular check ups with my eye consultant, had a few more surgeries and still at the back of my mind – I was in denial that I was losing my sight. I kept this to myself: I didn’t tell anyone about it, and I couldn’t express how I was feeling at that time and what I was struggling through and felt alone.
In my late 30s, I was informed that I wasn’t allowed to drive anymore due to the fact that my eyesight had deteriorated. That was when it hit me; it felt like overnight I had lost my independence, my confidence and myself.
I was in a dark place, feeling sorry for myself and asking questions such as ‘why me?’ It took me a while to get myself together.
I started researching about my condition and living with sight loss, I researched organisations that could help. I found myself going to classes and gaining inspiration from other members of society who also had a disability. As a result of this program, I was taught how to use a mobility cane, which has enabled me to become independent, such as traveling around my city, visiting other known areas, and even flying abroad to experience different cultures.
My hope is to raise awareness for disabilities seen and unseen and if I inspire any one going through anything similar to what I have been through by telling my story then it will be worth it.
Disability awareness is an important part of establishing inclusion for people with disability.
Often fears and discomfort about interacting with people with disability is based on lack of knowledge, uncertainties and stereotypes that influence your attitude.
DP is a none profit charity, our goal is to educate and raise awareness for disabilities seen and unseen in our society.
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