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I AM a visually challenged person who has successfully completed the chartered accountancy course. To achieve this required total perseverance, commitment and the will to tide over the physical, mental and emotional trauma that I was constantly facing.

Fate struck me when I was nine. I was given penicillin without a test dosage , which resulted in allergic reaction. Following this, I developed Steven Johnson Syndrome, a condition that results in the gradual deterioration of vision. And this was coupled with growth of eyelashes inside the eyes, dryness and itching. I didn't realise at that time that I would be blind one day.

I had to visit the doctor quite frequently to get the lashes removed. And because of the constant itching in the eyes, I couldn't play and enjoy life as my friends were doing.. Books soon became my friends and gradually I developed a deep interest in studies.

As I was growing older I realised the hard truth that I would be blind one day and I had to mentally prepare myself for this.

I had two choices: One, to brood over the problem or, two, accept it and find a way to come out of it. I resorted to the latter, as I felt that it would make me self-reliant and, at the same time, comfort my parents.

When I was in Second PUC (XII Std) I lost vision in my right eye. With the limited vision in the left eye I completed my graduation in commerce from Bangalore University in First Class.

I then appeared for some written tests to get a suitable job. And even though I had cleared the written tests, I was rejected at the interview stage because of my vision problem.

I realised that I would have a descent career only if I scored over the others in my studies. My interest in commerce prompted me to pursue the CA course. By then I had undergone corneal grafting in the right eye, but it was a failure. By the time I finished articleship training and cleared the CA Intermediate examination, it became impossible for me to see with my left eye as well.

However, the urge to complete CA didn't stop. I was trying to figure out how to continue my studies. Meanwhile, my father became terminally ill and I had to stop studies for a few years. Sahaja Yoga, a type of meditation, helped me tremendously at this point of time to maintain overall physical and mental balance.

In 2001, I came to know about screen reading software. This helped me get familiar with computers which, in turn, rekindled my ambition to complete CA.

However, the preparation phase was not easy. I had to convert the course materials into soft copy, and get readers for the subjects that reading software did not support. I also, for the first time, had to utilise the services of a scribe, as I could no longer write on my own. I was fortunate enough to have group of committed volunteers who gave their valuable time to help me.

In 2003, I qualified as CA. This is not just a personal achievement but a success for all the volunteers who had put in their time and effort.

Having realised the importance of volunteers in my studies, I started helping a few other visually, physically and economically challenged students in their studies.

My personal achievement and passion for helping society has been duly recognised by The Taj West End, where I am currently working as community co-ordinator.

The reason for opting for CA was not only because of my interest for the course but also to prove that visual impairment is not an obstacle to achieve success.

G. Rajani

Bangalore

JumpTheOdds@hotmail.com

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