It is often reiterated that everyone is unique in their own way. In Rosemary Ramitt’s scenario; this philosophical statement holds no disparity. We can often tell when a person is visually impaired (blind) by their actions. In the case of Rosemary, everyone would be left in awe and disbelief. “Acceptance” is regarded as her first step towards taking a stance against darkness and fighting the odds in life which has led her to countless opportunities and exposure.When one stumbles upon this distinctive individual, he/she must either leave inspired or touched by her dazzling smile and cheery personality that shows a great deal of determination. Such is the effect Rosemary, commonly known as ‘Rosie’ would leave on her well-wishers. Generally, any blind person would be susceptible to stigma and discrimination which would pose as an obstacle for their aspirations. However, in Rosie’s situation, this has done nothing but propelled her to prove the normality false.
There are some persons who are initially born blind and some that lose their sight as they journey in life. At 13, Rosie lost her sight due to inflammation at the back of the eyes. Like every normal person who would seek medical attention, she also did. Thereafter, this led to many disappointments though two failed surgeries were conducted in Brazil and countless visits to eye specialists. Thus, the entire failure aftermath took an immense toll on Rosie for two years allowing darkness to become a formula for her.
“A major step for any person who has acquired the disability is acceptance” (Rosemary) –May 31 last makes five years since Rosie is visually impaired. Today, she has already accepted her condition and is currently a member of the Guyana Society for the Blind who has already sat the May/June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations along with nine other visually impaired persons. She reiterates the issue of ‘acceptance’ in relation to any person that is visually impaired since she has wasted a few years of crying behind closed doors.
With the ready-to-go software that was ideally invented for visually impaired persons worldwide, JAWS (Job Access With Speech) reads aloud to its clients as it steers and access contents from the computer and the internet. Fortunately for Rosie, her little encounter with a blind girl at the hospital accessing the computer motivated her to sign up for membership at the Guyana Society for the Blind. Luckily the JAWS software was in the process of initiating; thereafter it took her approximately 15 months for training and adjusting to the society.
It is rather surreal for a blind person to be actively involved in curriculum activities and aid in giving back knowledge to the less fortunate. Rosie visited the society almost four times a week for classes, other than that she was quite involved in the government’s computer training programme in which herself and colleague Leroy would give a helping hand. It was rejuvenating to discover that with an exception to Rosie, other visually impaired persons who are exposed to JAWS have gained a sense of independence. As Rosie noted “you get that sense of independence because with the computer you can access so many things…you don’t have to ask a person the time…you have access to the internet…” When asked about being less reliant on people as a result of using the computer, she noted that “not only do you feel independent but you give people this “woah how you do it?” expression.”
This ambitious young lady highlighted the lessons that she earned from the society: “…when you are here, you are among blind persons who have accomplished things and they would always say that “you know dear, it’s not easy but it’s up to you”…Any person with a disability you can’t expect someone to give you something. You have to get up on your own and go out there and get it. For us it’s more difficult so all the more we have to put in and work harder. So coming here they taught us and to have that drive or push to get things done even if you get turned down the first time, you always go back again.”
Apart from ‘curriculum activities,’ Rosie is also a member of another disability group that is not only composed of visually impaired persons but other persons with disabilities, primarily deaf persons with physical disabilities. “Young voices” is a youth group that Rosie along with fellow classmates participates in “…we would take part in activities and so, whether it’s lobbying, sensitising…” she said.
“Determination is something you have to imprint on your brain when you have a disability.” (Rosemary) It is notable to know that Rosie aspires to be a teacher one day chiefly because it is the only ‘workable’ and ‘feasible’ option for her. Although it is a ‘childhood dream’ to stand in front a class of 40 students and offer knowledge, she believes it is not a ‘challenge’ for her since she is willing to go the extra mile for them and her motivation lingers around other blind persons that teaches, precisely older and well experienced ones-“If you’re asking me if my condition would stop me from doing what I want to do, I would say no…if they can do it, I can too.”
Our mentality is profoundly shaped on believing what the surface holds, per se a blind person walking with a cane.
We would initially gather that they are struggling to overcome hurdles in their life but what is remarkable about Rosie is that this very ‘cane’ is an epitome of a stepping stone in her life. She generally uses the cane for outdoor routines such as catching a bus and moving around. Many blind persons are mostly loaded with struggles such as the first phase of acceptance which is stepping on the feet. She noted that her only struggle was her examinations (CSEC) and her nervous wait on the results-“…more like “paving the way for other blind persons…””
People tend to be more arrogant towards persons with disabilities and Rosie thoroughly agrees with this. She elaborated that most persons are not exposed about her condition so they ideally refer to arrogance towards her innocent flaws. She also noted that “we always push for persons with disabilities to have equal rights and opportunities so that more people could be educated and more people would be sensitised and less ignorant…”
Reminiscing on her sad and happy moments, she highlighted the main aspects. Her sad moments entailed the first two years into being visually impaired. Prior to losing her sight, she used to visit the library quite often in school and borrow books. Her first year at Annandale Secondary school, she was transferred to Lifesprings School which led to even more countless readings but that also took a deadly turn for her-“…I remember picking up a book and trying to read and be like “Why can’t I see to read?” and I would start crying but I don’t think about these moments because they are in the past. I would tell people and then laugh afterwards.” Like a normal person, when interrogated about his/her gloomy moments, they too have a tendency to relive those moments; this is no different in Rosie’s scenario. Contrast to her heartrending flashbacks, her cheery moments hover around her outings with “…a bunch of blind persons…”
Every blind person has encountered the hardest part of living with this disability. As Rosie spoke on behalf of all blind persons, she noted that one of the hardest parts of being blind is “not seeing things.” It is quite different trying to tell a blind person about an eclipse since he/she will not get the ‘full description’ of it. They ideally ‘stop seeing what other people see.’ Though Rosie misses her television a lot, music has filled that void. Who can guess a blind girl’s favourite band is ‘Paramore?’ Being visually impaired, one can have countless fears such as being in a kitchen with several sharp objects. For Rosie, her fear surrounds ‘hot oil’ in the kitchen. Ironical as it sounds, she enjoys making Mac and Cheese, Sausage and tea.
Ever wondered how the blind can recognise people? Approximately all visually impaired persons recognise persons through their voices. Rosie recognises people as she meets them on a daily basis as opposed to a person she would occasionally meet, which would pose as a difficulty to recognise that person’s voice. Light can cure a lot of things, for Rosie it provides shadows and colours as she paves her way in daylight. To live in immense darkness on the other hand, is quite startling. Coincidentally Rosie is blessed with blurs and shadows, needless say, this can be considered ‘gifted.’
It is essential to have inspirations and role models. Ganesh Singh, executive member of the Guyana Society for the Blind poses is Rosie’s primary inspiration. She spared no room in elaborating about his effect on her. Singh is renowned for his success in the disability arena in Georgetown, Guyana. His association in this spectrum has increasingly spurned countrywide via the media. Similar to Rosie’s loss of sight scenario; Singh took almost five years to accept his disability. It was after Rosie met him that he shared his story with her with the intention of inspiring her to quit crying over spilled milk and pushing her towards success.
“He was the one that really pushed me and I had to endure hours of lecturing and he would say: “I don’t care if I annoy you, I will annoy you…I see a lot of me in you…”” she noted.
What if life gave Rosie a second chance to see? In her quest to conquer this ultimate question, she responded: “You know if I had sight, I don’t think I would’ve been here where I am right now as in the things I’ve done and the things I’ve accomplished and the places I’ve been and the persons I’ve met. I don’t know if I would’ve done that, I would’ve been a typical person writing CXC and be out there hunting for a job. So to say to what I would have done different I don’t know because I wouldn’t have been exposed to this much but if I could get back my sight now, what I would definitely change, is other persons’ life.”
As we stroll through the streets of Georgetown, we encounter many persons with disabilities; however, the sad and most awful truth is that most of us consider them to be handicapped burdens. As humans, we err and learn from our mistakes but it is pathetic that the pessimistic ones do not. The term ‘handicap’ mentally portrays a helpless disabled person, preferably a blind person. In Rosie’s perspective, “using the term “handicap” is more like an offence…I prefer the term visually impaired” as she pointed out with underlying evidence from the United Nations. In future when a visually impaired person is walking with a cane, amidst the hurrying crowd in Georgetown, it is commendable if one can show appreciation for their bravery of accomplishing the first step of acceptance in being blind.
Written By Shivanie Sugrim