The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

AS Jermaine Brown slowly lost his sight, his world grew darker — not just because of the loss of vision, but because of the despair that came with it.

“Why do I still have life? What else is my purpose?” he asked himself during those difficult moments.

Mr Brown’s story is not unique; it is the reality for many in The Bahamas who live with blindness, battling not just physical limitations, but the emotional and psychological hurdles that accompany a such a life-altering condition.

Mr Brown said the turning point was finding the Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which gave him a renewed sense of purpose.

This October, the organisation is pushing that message forward as it recognises Blindness Awareness Month.

“In this month, especially, we get to highlight members of our organisation as well as, you know, blindness on the whole,” Mr Brown said.

As the Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired gears up for a series of events, Mr Brown, who serves as the organisation’s president, stressed the importance of ensuring that blind people are treated equally and respected for their abilities — not pitied for their disabilities.

“The only thing that makes blind or visually impaired individuals different from a person who can see is that the person who can see can see a little bit better,” Mr Brown said. “So treat us the same, that’s all we look for.”

The month will feature a number of activities aimed at promoting awareness, including a Family Fun Day at Centreville Park on October 14, where sighted participants will get a glimpse into the challenges faced by the blind through blindfold games like dominoes and basketball.

The alliance will use Blindness Awareness Month as a platform for conversations with the government concerning matters of their community, starting with the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville on World Sight Day, October 10.

Mr Brown said one of the most pervasive challenges for those who lose their sight is the mental health toll: feelings of isolation and depression can quickly set in.

“At first, you don’t know what to do,” he said. “You don’t want to live. But being part of the Alliance showed me that I still had purpose.”

A key focus of the Alliance is helping newly blind people overcome negative feelings, providing them with tools, training, and emotional support.

Throughout the year, Mr Brown and his team have been visiting schools to teach students about blindness, ensuring the next generation is aware of the signs of eye health issues and understands how to support those living with visual impairments.