Out of the blue and without any warning, Wisal Idrees woke up one day to discover that she had gone completely blind. Fearing for her children’s well-being after the discovery, Wisal kept the blindness a secret for ten days, navigating across her house in total darkness and in a state of internal panic.
“I remember the exact day and time I lost my vision,” said the DHA employee, who works as an administrational assistant in the authority’s primary healthcare sector. “It was my son’s first day of school last September. I was in total shock. I kept it to myself because I didn’t want my family to get upset. When I finally told them they were utterly devastated.”
Doctors told Wisal that she suffered from an autoimmune disease and that the damages to her eyes were irreversible. Consequently, she felt like her life was over and stayed home for four months refusing to talk to family and friends—locking herself away from the outside world.
“After months of dwelling at home, I decided that I must be stronger because I have two children who need me and look up to me as a role model,” she said.
That is when Wisal decided to embrace her new life as a blind woman. The DHA People of Determination Services Office referred her to the Emirates Association for Impaired Vision, where she learned how to read Braille, how to navigate with a white cane and even took computer classes. She also took part in a boot camp where she lived for three days in a villa with ten other blind women to learn how to navigate independently.
“Learning all these new skills, while difficult, armed me with the skills I need to go back to the world stronger and more confident than I ever was. I started in taking part in activities that aim to raise awareness about visual impairment. I now feel that I have a responsibility to be a voice for people of determination.”
fulfilling potential
Wisal believes people of determination have a lot to give and while they face some restrictions, they have an abundance of positivity that they wish to spread across the world. “I call on people of determination to not give up, they can always find ways to achieve their dreams, all they need is a bit of determination and good faith.”
Wisal was encouraged by the authority’s People of Determination Office, which aims to integrate people into the workforce and provide them with the tools needed to succeed.
“We aim to inspire people like Wisal to be vital members of the workforce by providing an array of services that aid them not only in their work place but in their day to day life,” said Dr Latifa Al Rustamani, Head of DHA’s People of Determination Services Office.
Dr Latifa said the DHA People of Determination Office oversees all services and policies related to the determined ones such as developmental screening programmes and early screening programmes to name a few.
She added that the office ensures that fast-track services are provided for people with determination and that DHA facilities are accessible to them.
Wisal concluded by commending His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his continuous support and for introducing policies and strategies that aim to aid people of determination.
She also thanked her mother and children, Saja and Yamn, for their support throughout her difficult time and she thanked the CEO of the Primary Healthcare Sector, Dr Manal Taryam, Dr Latifa and the Emirates Association for Impaired Vision for their support.
