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Sight signals freedom for Vellayamai

My story

Total blindness meant Vellayamai was fully dependent on her daughter.

Donnuthai, her daughter, worked all day as a field labourer near their small village in the remote Karur District. But Donnuthai always worried about leaving her mother at home alone.

Vellayamai was blinded by cataracts in both eyes. She also had a physical disability in her legs, thought to be the result of arthritis. When Donnuthai finished work each day she would go straight home to care for her mother. Vellayamai was despairing. “My daughter is the only one that takes care of me! And I want her to not have to anymore.”

How we helped

Vellayamai received surgery on her right eye at the Joseph Eye Hospital, supported by Seeing is Believing partners CBM. Only a day later the patch was removed and her sight in that eye was restored.

A week later, Vellayami was far from the despairing woman who entered to the hospital. “I am well!” she said. “When can I have the other eye done?” She can do her own housework and enjoy the view from her home after a year of not seeing anything at all.

Now,  Donnuthai can work without worry about her mother being left alone. Newly-married, Donnuthai is very happy to have the fredom to carry on with her own life.

Vellayamai said: “I am glad my daughter does not have to care for me anymore, she is free.”

If you would like to help people like Vellayamai, please donate here.