Mohit Gupta, 34 from Delhi is visually impaired since birth. He has learnt to overcome his vision problems by adopting assistive technologies which help him negotiate his professional and personal space.
How would you like to introduce yourself?
I am someone who is very positive and looks at every opportunity that he wants to utilize to improve himself as well as others around him. I work in my family business.
Please tell us a bit about your condition
I am visually impaired with low vision and Retinitis Pigmentosa. I was diagnosed with RP during birth. My diagnosis was read as COATS disease with Tractional Retinal Detachment with Congenial Cataract in Right Eye In 2013, I suffered a Retina detachment which had to be operated upon to fix it. Right now I have vision about 30 to 40 per cent for both my eyes.
What were the early symptoms of your condition?
I was unable to read small prints and I found it difficult to identify small objects and people from a distance.
Please describe your experience of managing the condition?
Initially I was completely blanked out with this experience and I could not cope with it. I didn’t know anyone who could help me. My parents told me that doctors had told them that I have to find my own ways of handling the situation. As I grow older, I will be able to identify my own strengths and weaknesses and accordingly I will also be able to find my own way around. But I was completely lost initially, both in academic and professional fronts. So I started to talk to people who had similar issues as well as do research to get to know more about my problems. I was also searching the internet to find out more about technology that I could use to help me cope with academics and various other courses I was interested in pursuing. My research also yielded useful information about assistive devices and how to implement them for my daily use.
What assistive devices do you use?
I make my life a lot easier with the help of the assistive devices that I use. I use Portable magnifiers which is also called Traveller and is manufactured by a UK company called Optelec. For screen readers I use a software called Supernova. And for my Android phone I have a talking software called the Talkback. I use Screen readers on both my phone and laptop. About 80% of my work is done using technology. Magnifiers are also good for books.
How did you learn to use these devices?
During my initial years, my father would do a lot of research online, and we discovered about sight village exhibition in Birmingham UK. These devices were available online also, but we bought them there.
Did you go any through other rehabilitation?
No
How else did you improve your independence and quality of life?
Assistive technology and also practically executing ideas taken from my mentors like Dr Cyrus Shroff and Dr Charu Gupta who are pioneers in handling cases related to the Retina.
How difficult was school, as you went to a normal school? Was it tough to keep up with others?
In the beginning it was like a nightmare as teachers and classmates would not understand my eye condition. My mother along with the school principal of St Mary’s (Safdarjung, New Delhi ) Mrs. Annie Koshi made every one aware which improved things for me. I take it upon myself now to make other people aware of my condition.
Higher studies took you abroad as well. Do you want to talk about it?
After giving my CBSE class 12th exams on computer, I went to University of Birmingham, UK, for my BBA. Though they had all the resources to assist me, I was not given access to the resources as they had failed to do my proper assessment as a result of which I scored poor marks.
Later I filed a case with the university which I won . On the advise of my mentors, I decided to complete my education from GD Goenka World Institute (Gurgaon, Haryana)
Related: See video below on benefits of Vision Rehabilitation
How do you keep yourself busy?
I like to listen to audio books, watch movies, travel with friends and improve my knowledge about various things.
What treatment have you received for your condition?
Vitrectomy, Lensectomy, Silicon Oil Injection and also Retinopexy under General Anaesthesia.
What medications are you on?
I have been prescribed eye drops like Dorzox, Combigan and Systane.
Were there any side-effects of the medicines?
No
What were the other challenges you faced and what is your advice to others who face similar challenges?
It would help a person with a condition such as mine (retinitis pigmentosa) if more people are made aware of it. We CAN then develop a more positive attitude towards life.
What kind of specialists do you consult and how often?
I visit retina specialists once in three months.
Related Reading: How to Cope with Vision Loss
Have you tried complementary medicine or therapies, like homeopathy or yoga?
No
Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?
With time I learnt to accept it.
How has your family supported you?
My parents and my sister have motivated me always in terms of using technology to overcome the hurdles. They also gave me confidence to compete with the world in spite of the ignorance of people around us.
Mohit answered these questions over an email interview with editor Moyna Sen.
