Realising his ambition through timely guidance

Born with normal eyesight in Bidar district, Karnataka, twenty-nine-year-old Shreekanth Muganoor’s life took an unexpected turn. Coming from a middle-income family of agriculturalists, Shreekanth’s vision began deteriorating at the age of 3, leading to complete blindness by six. Unlike his five siblings who attended school, Shreekanth was kept indoors due to his parents’ lack of information about living life with blindness.

Overprotective family members restricted him from outdoor activities, inadvertently fostering dependence and diminishing his competence. This isolation continued until a local residential school for the blind conducted a survey, aiming to mainstream socially neglected blind children in the community.

Initially reluctant, Shreekanth’s parents were convinced by special teachers sharing their own experiences. At the school, Shreekanth learned Braille and mobility skills, and also completed his Class X. After finishing 12th, he sought job opportunities to support his family financially.

A turning point came when Shreekanth discovered about the Eyeway Helpdesk through a radio advertisement. The counsellor, noting Shreekanth’s lack of career clarity, provided guidance on employability training. Learning of his interest in teaching, the counsellor informed him about a Diploma in Special Education in Mysore, Karnataka, and helped him access the necessary study material.

Successfully completing his special D.Ed, Shreekanth now works as a teacher in a special school for the blind in Karnataka. During a follow-up call, he expressed gratitude to Eyeway for their crucial guidance.

Currently employed on a contractual basis in a government-aided school, Shreekanth continues to receive encouragement and guidance from the counsellor. He’s now preparing for the State Teachers Eligibility Test, which will qualify him for permanent teaching positions in government schools.

Shreekanth’s journey from isolation to empowerment showcases the transformative power of appropriate information and guidance for individuals with vision impairment.

Team Eyeway