Overprotection vs. Independence: The Struggle for Rehabilitation

Rakesh Kumar Singh, thirty-four, lives in Kalahandi, Odisha, with his parents, wife, and child. Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, he began losing his vision from a very early age in his life.  By the time he came in 9th standard, he had lost complete vision and was forced to discontinue his education after the ninth standard.

Determined to contribute, Rakesh immersed himself in the family business. He married in 2013, but two years later, a severe accident changed everything. While he sustained minor injuries, his wife suffered significant trauma, leading his parents to become overprotective of his movements, fearing further harm. This overprotection, while rooted in concern, restricted his independence and access to opportunities that could have improved his quality of life.

Through Hamari Vaani, an audio platform, Rakesh learned about railway concessions available to visually impaired individuals. When he reached out to the Eyeway Helpdesk for assistance in obtaining an e-concession, the counselor recognized a deeper issue: his need for rehabilitation training, particularly mobility skills, which would enable him to navigate the world independently.

Despite thorough efforts, he couldn’t find a suitable training facility in Odisha. The counselor then connected him with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) Mumbai, where free mobility training, accommodations, and other necessary arrangements were secured for him. However, when Rakesh shared this opportunity with his parents, they flatly refused to let him travel to Mumbai. Their fear—rooted in his past accident—overshadowed his aspirations for self-reliance. Even when Eyeway attempted to counsel and reassure them, their resistance remained firm.

Rakesh’s experience highlights the barriers disabled individuals face—not just financial or logistical, but emotional and social as well. Even when free rehabilitation programs and financial support exist, families often prevent individuals from accessing them. Ongoing counseling and education for both individuals and their caregivers are essential in shifting these perceptions.

Eyeway counselors continue to counsel Rakesh and his family so that they can allow him to pursue rehabilitation and gain independence.

Team Eyeway