Mohammed Samir is a thirty-year-old resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He lost his eye sight in Class 8, after which he had to drop out of school. Coming from a small town and a family which was ignorant about opportunities for visually impaired children, Samir was forced to stay at home. Over the years he became increasingly dependent on people around him for basic activities of daily living. While his siblings moved around freely, getting proper education and employment, Samir struggled to even walk independently.
A friend suggested him to get in touch with the Eyeway Helpdesk. Samir called in and shared his frustrations and concerns. He was curious to know if there were any hope for people like him. The Eyeway counselor being visually impaired herself, could well empathize with his worries. She gave him a patient hearing and offered assurances of a better life ahead.
Samir learned about several people who overcame their blindness and found decent means of living. Citing stories of role models, the counselor shared how mobility and technology training can help blind people achieve independent living.
Eyeway helped Samir order a white cane which would enable him to navigate through spaces alone. Once he receives the cane, he can get in touch with local organizations which offer training for the same. The counselor also guided Samir to join a vocational training and employment program in handicrafts offered by an institute in Nagpur. Luckily Eyeway could also identify another visually impaired candidate from his state to travel alongside and accompany him in the said program.
In a few phone calls, Samir went from helplessness to hopefulness, certain of acquiring the ability to build a life of his own choice.