From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief: Rebuilding Confidence After Setbacks

Priti Bhunge, a 38-year-old woman from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, was born with low vision. In the early years, her parents didn’t recognize the seriousness of her condition. But by the time she was about five, they began noticing her vision difficulties. A local eye specialist confirmed their concerns, stating that her condition could not be treated and that her vision would not improve.

Despite this setback, Priti was enrolled in a mainstream school, as her parents were unaware of schools and resources available for children with visual impairments. She continued studying with difficulty, struggling to read the blackboard, small print, and keep up with notes. She often had to rely on friends for help.

She studied at the mainstream school until Class 9. However, the school denied her admission to Class 10, fearing that if she failed the board exams, it would harm the school’s reputation. This deeply affected Priti’s confidence and she fell into depression.

Fortunately, a relative informed her parents about another school that supported students with visual impairments. There, she received the necessary help, including the use of a scribe. She completed Class 10 and later pursued graduation from an open university.

In 2016, Priti heard about a new branch of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) in her town. She enrolled in a rehabilitation training program, where she learned how to use a smartphone with a screen reader and gained other life skills.

Still unsure about employment opportunities, she reached out to Eyeway after hearing about it from a friend. The Eyeway counselor offered her information and guidance on skill development and recommended she pursue training in basic computers, spoken English, and interview preparation through Enable India in Bengaluru.

Priti completed the training successfully and is now preparing for competitive exams. With Eyeway’s help, she applied for the RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories) exam, which opens up opportunities in the Indian Railways.

Since 2020, she has been in regular contact with Eyeway, receiving support and updates about job opportunities, government schemes, and more. Priti expressed her gratitude for the ongoing guidance, which has helped her stay focused and hopeful about the future.

Team Eyeway