WINDHOEK – Thirty-four-year old Bridgette Nouses who was born visually impaired has big plans for the future despite her handicap.
The mother of two lives at the Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired (NFVI) in Wanaheda in Katutura, where she is taking studies with the centre.
She is 30 percent visually impaired and can only see big objects that are nearby, she says.
“I was born with this condition … I inherited it from my family,” narrated Bridgette
Being a visually impaired youngster was not easy and a walk in the park, and she grew up with her parents in the rural town of Okombahe in the Erongo Region.
“I went to school in Okombahe where I completed my primary school, but it was a very difficult time for me because I had problems seeing on the blackboard and had to get summaries from classmates. It was also difficult finding my way to class as I would get lost unless I had help from friends.” When she went to further her education in Windhoek at A. Shipena Secondary School she faced more problems in the final years of high school, narrated the ambitious woman.
However, other challenges awaited her when she moved to the city especially when it came to doing her daily chores.
“I do my shopping on my own and find it sometimes challenging to get a taxi to find specific shops I want to go to. At times I walk around the whole shop, once inside, just to find what I need, and the prices of items are especially difficult for me to know and I end up asking the help of shop assistants, which is annoying for me at times, but I have gotten to know Windhoek very well and the people here are also very helpful,” she says.
Bridgette is currently taking courses in Braille and computer classes at the NFVI, which she says are going very well.
“I want to study further, possibly at the University of Namibia in the field of media studies and work – this is one of my biggest dreams,” she says.
The NFVI has helped her in many ways. “The centre has built up my self-confidence because being around people who did not have this disability I felt lonely, but it was good to be around people who could relate to my situation and it is also my second home as I stay here with 12 other students in one of the hostels,” said Bridgette
Bridgette is also a fashion lover. “I love wearing high heels. I used to feel uncomfortable wearing my heels and stopped wearing them, but when I came to the centre and saw other high heel-loving ladies, I told myself if other ladies could dress up, well why can’t I,” said Bridgette
Bridgette always makes time for play with her two sons. “My sons love playing hide and seek with me, even if it takes me hours to find them. My family especially my brother is also very supportive and helps me financially with my children, ” said Bridgette.
“I have an active social life and go out with my friends – as to my love life I am single,” said Bridgette.
Bridgette had some words of encouragement for individuals going through the same situation.
“Do not rely too much on other people to do things for you, do not pity yourself as holding on to the fact that you are visually impaired can lead you to be depressed,” said Bridgette.