Shaini Saravanamuthu | Blind Beauty Issue 16
“Retinitis Pigmentosa has legally claimed me as an individual with a disability and legally blind!” ~Shaini Saravanamuthu
A question that I get asked often is “But that’s why you wear glasses right? They fix your vision and you can see right?” I wish it was as simple as that, RP has taken my night vision and slowly killing off my peripheral vision. I wear glasses because, in addition to what RP has caused me to lose, I am also nearsighted!
Question# 2: “Can’t you just get laser surgery and fix your vision ?” Unfortunately, laser can’t bring back any night vision or peripheral vision lost! At the moment researchers are still in the midst of working on different treatments to cure different kinds of Genetic Eye Diseases!
Friendly reminder, not all of us that are visually impaired / legally blind own a white cane or a guide dog hence why you sometimes hear us refer to it as an invisible disability! So someone you know can be visually impaired and you may not even know it!
To those of you going through vision loss, remember that our disability doesn’t define us and it most defiantly will not stop us from reaching for the stars! So keep on pushing and living your dreams!
Shaini was born and raised in Montreal, Accountant in the day and a Sephora girl by night. She loves learning new things and trying new projects, which have led her to several great opportunities and great friendships! She hopes that her story inspires others and helps others who may be going through a similar situation. “Always remember, Live. Laugh. Love & Learn”
Description: Featured image is a mock magazine cover titled Blind Beauty. Shaini’s long dark hair is draped over her right shoulder as she looks fabulous in her eyeglasses and is slightly pouting. She is wearing a black top with a keyhole neckline and a white sweater.
Blocks of text superimposed on Shaini’s photo are: “Bold | She Keeps Pressing Onward,” “Blind | She Has Deeper Insight,” “Beautiful | She Sees To The Heart Of Others.”
Shaini can be followed on IG: @shinez_