Challenging Disability Inequality in Egypt
HOSSAM’S STORY
My life became meaningless when I lost my sight at the age of fifteen and I was denied the opportunity to complete my education. I was unable to meet the standards of studying in a regular school, so I dropped out. As a result, I stayed at home, unable to learn any skill.
I ended up sitting alone in complete darkness, which made me feel even more frustrated, despairing, and worthless. My life was filled with fear of many things, the first of which was becoming completely dependent.
Opportunities for people with visual impairments to participate in education, employment and social activities is still extremely limited in Egypt. Many do end up leading the isolated and dependent lives that Hossam feared.
But our partner Life Vision is working to change that. They work at a local level, through church and community initiatives, as well as spearheading regional and national campaigns to bring about equal rights and opportunities across Egyptian society for people with visual impairments.
They also work with individuals and their families, helping them adapt to a life without sight. The team at Life Vision was able to help Hossam get back to studying so that he could achieve the academic success he knew he was capable of:
When I joined the project, I received the opportunity to develop my talents and skills; beginning with learning the Braille method, which was a basic requirement for attending a school for the blind. After I was able to read and write in Braille, they sent my papers to a school for the blind, and I was able to enrol in school and continue my education and knowledge journey.
Thanks to the support of Live Vision, Hossam was also able to widen his range of activities and expand his social life:
I began practicing the sport of swimming and I joined the theatre team, all of which contributed to the development of my personality and self-confidence.
Now I am very happy because my family members began to realise that I do have potential. Now, after seeing my academic success and swimming ability, they give me confidence and can count on me to do some tasks. I am also now involved in and contributing to many church activities, such as acting, and I'm assisting others in discovering and developing their talents.
Now that I have seen and experienced the benefits of swimming and how it can rejuvenate the soul, I would like to help organise a swimming team of blind people to show the rest of the community what we are capable of doing.
I used to feel marginalised and without value, and now I feel my importance in my community, even if it is simple, but it will have great value later. I'd like to thank the project team for helping me to live up to my God-given potential and to restore hope and courage to my soul.
