Blind teacher regains her eye sight after three years

52 year old Tabitha Njeri Maina walks along a corridor at Ndarugo Primary school in Njoro,Nakuru county on May 15,2016. She regained her sight after three years of Blindness.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

The fact that I can see again is nothing short of a miracle. At 52years I have lived two lives, one as a blind person and the other as a person with sight.

My name is Tabitha Maina a wife and a mother of two. My life changed when I suddenly went blind, three years ago, while teaching my pupils at Ndarugo Primary School, Nakuru County.

I was marking my student’s books when I suddenly stopped seeing. I was rushed to Egerton University hospital where I was diagnosed with a hysterical condition. I was given bed rest with surety I could recover my sight - it did not work.

I sought medical assistance at the Rift Valley General Provincial hospital but still no ailment was detected. I later went to Kikuyu hospital for tests but doctors dismissed me as having a ‘nonexistent disease’.

The prognosis was no different at Kenyatta National but they referred me to a neurologist to examine my nerves.

We however, did not have the money to pursue this and it seemed my life living in total blindness had been sealed.

I could not report to work or conduct my normal wife and mother chores independently. Things took a turn for the worse after I became unable to bath myself or walk.

I became a burden to my family but my husband remained supportive of me. He took care of me ven as doctors remained unable to unravel the puzzle behind my bizarre blindness.

My life began to change after David Wagema, a District human resource officer with the Teachers Service Commission advised me to enroll to a special school for the blind and make something useful out of myself.

He informed my employer of my situation and after a series of paperwork I got enrolled to the Machakos School for the blind.

After six months of learning how to use the white stick, brail language and also how to type using a specialised computer, I graduated and TSC sent me back to my former school as a special teacher.

Then on March 25, this year, the unexpected occurred. I was at a prayer service when my eyesight returned by itself. I have seen several ophthalmologists and they too cannot believe or explain what happened to restore my sight.

I am still teaching at the same school but I no longer need special aides to do so. I write on the board and mark books without any assistance or difficulties.

Life has taught me to appreciate every situation and make the best out of opportunities when available. I do not take anything for granted.

-Anne Wagema