Jhumri - A beauty with a vision
Out of 46 contestants from across India, Jhumri Biswal, aged 20, from Bhubaneswar, is one of the 12 shortlisted finalists for the first-ever Miss India Contest for the Visually Impaired.
At the tender age of eight, Jhumri was hit by a truck and sustained a head injury. The impact led to the damage of an optic nerve, and within a few days, Jhumri lost her sight completely. Once home, she was taken out of school because she was "blind." Initially, Jhumri felt happy to escape the drudgery of school, but soon realised that her classmates were moving on, learning and experiencing new things. Her blindness restricted her mobility, which affected her playtime, going out, spending time with friends, and simply having fun. Sadness and depression began to set in, as the feeling of being left out and constantly dependent on others began to weigh on her. Jhumri’s parents noticed this and felt helpless.
A local health worker suggested that Jhumri join a nearby school that taught blind children using Braille. This was a life-changing experience for her, as it gave her a channel to learn and grow. She studied using the tactile writing system for two years, after which she returned to mainstream schooling to continue her education. Braille books were available up to grade seven. Beyond that, she had to rely on an audio recorder and a Braille typewriter provided through World Vision India’s outreach programme. Her sister would read aloud chapters from the textbooks, and Jhumri would take notes using the Braille typewriter. Over time, her typing speed also improved significantly.
With her thirst for knowledge and passion for learning, Jhumri became actively involved in community activities, particularly those focused on the rights of children with disabilities. She participated in World Vision India’s Our Voice Assembly - a platform for children with disabilities to come together to discuss the challenges they face, learn about their rights and entitlements, and advocate for themselves. Jhumri took part in many state and national-level consultations with other children with disabilities, where they developed recommendations which were subsequently submitted to political leaders. Jhumri is one of 2,300 children with disabilities who are part of Our Voice Assemblies across 18 states in India.
The above article was published in the Huffington Post
Labels: #braille #courage #determination #disability #blindness #education #girl #special #vision #visual #willpower #winner
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