Think of the word Painting. What
comes to our mind? The beauty of colors, the strokes, and a visual treat of
creating a part of life around. In simple words, it's visual art that combines
with soul to bring alive beautiful creations. But think of those who have
blindness; can they enjoy this art form like a sighted person? You may say
"No," but you may change your opinion once you read this article. A
flashback to my life 12 years ago…. I see myself as a student aspiring to be a
filmmaker.
Art has always fascinated me. But
unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and I lost my eyesight. The
world fell apart in front of me. I couldn't do anything.
Back then, besides losing my
vision, I also lost my sense of hearing, smell, taste. I was heading for paralysis
in my right limb. In addition, my doctor said I might only have three months to
live. Three months? That's all I've got to live this life? I used to lie down
in bed thinking about what had become of me. But it is the fact that life gives
us two choices; one is to sit and cry over your wound or get up despite the
pain and walk ahead. Perhaps I took the second route, bringing me where I am
today.
It wasn't an easy journey to rise
after the fall; it certainly took time. Months passed until I recuperated as my
other senses except for my eyesight. I had an urge to do something and not be wasted
space. In 2012, I joined LV Prasad Eye Institute, wherein I was trained in
Assistive Technology. Where I learned that when all doors close, one for you
will open. I also realized that I am not the only one who is blind; but there'
are many others like me. I became more confident, and my zeal to make my life
more meaningful was sparked here.
In 2013, I got a call from LV Prasad
Eye Institute to join there as a Rehabilitation Counselor. I have never looked
back as life took a new turn. Besides having the best team to work with, I
counseled people who were like me, hopeless and in a state of shock. I used to
see my old self in them. I used to tell them that they needed to take that one
step that would change their life for good and gave them all possible
information that helped them become independent. I cannot forget the moments
when those people I had counseled would come back to us with a big smile and
narrate the stories of what they had achieved. It was simply a fantastic experience
to sit there and listen to them.
There was so much I had given up when
I lost my eyesight; my ambition to be a filmmaker and my passion for art. But I
never thought these would come knocking at my door once again. Talking of filmmaking,
I got opportunities to write scripts and direct awareness videos at my
workplace. It certainly was impossible without my team, who trusted me and
encouraged me to do more projects. One such project was an audio movie for
persons with vision loss, titled "I'm Possible." What was different
was that anyone with vision loss could listen to it and comprehend it without
anyone's description. My happiness had no bounds when released on 8th
March 2015.
I had no clue that I would get back
to my passion for artwork. I was invited to a painting gallery in 2018,
wherein, sadly, I could not enjoy all those beautiful paintings as they were
all two-dimensional. That's when the idea of tactile Painting came to my mind.
I started reading about this type of art and worked on it in a way that any
person with vision loss will be able to do themselves. My first question was
how they would perceive colors. I believe that every color has an emotion, just
like music. For example, if I say "Red," one would either think of
passion or anger. Similarly, if I say "Yellow," it could remind us of
happiness. So the description of colors in my world of blindness was through
their associated emotion.
My next step was how to make the
paintings tactile. I thought of many household materials that one could use to
add 3D effects to their artwork. So that's when I started using aluminum foil
which could be shaped into any 3D object, layered with paper, and then colored.
I also used other secondary materials such as paper, beads, tissue paper,
paper mash, etc., as and when
required.
The 3rd step was how one could color
the foreground on the canvas; for example, how will they differentiate the
margin between the sky and the sea. The solution was quite simple when I
started using a garbage bag to cover one area while I painted the other area.
Then I glued all the tactile objects on the canvas, finally creating tactile
paintings that everyone, including persons with blindness, could enjoy. So far,
I have created 15 paintings, and my affair with Painting certainly doesn't seem
to end there! It's only the beginning, I'd say. When I started doing tactile
Painting, I got an opportunity to participate in art exhibitions; one such
event was "Art for Inclusion." by India Inclusion Foundation
displayed beautiful paintings of eight persons with disabilities from across
India. The memories of it are still in my heart.
As I experimented and became bold
with materials and colors in my paintings. I was keen that people like me who
cannot see should also enjoy this branch of art. In my endeavor, I was able to
train sixteen persons with vision loss with the help of my team at my
workplace. The masterpieces these artists created were also displayed in an exhibition
that was appreciated by many.
I am writing this down not intending
to say, "See how good I am or see what I have achieved", but I want
to give away a message saying that if you decide to take that one step. However
difficult it might be. You will undoubtedly walk a long distance. When you stop
by and look at your life; you will be surprised that you walked so far carrying
a bundle of beautiful memories in your heart.
I believe that nothing is impossible
once you set your heart on something, and everything after that will
undoubtedly seemworkable. And it's Possible.
My journey would not have been what
it is without the support of theInstitute for Vision Rehabilitation, LV Prasad
Eye Institute, Hyderabad. First, it showed me how to be an independent person
by rehabilitating me. I came here and met many like me. I felt I was not the
only one fighting the world of blindness, but there are many, and their
lives have indeed transformed into inspiring stories. The place changed me,
too; that gave me a name and made me a confident woman.
Established in 1992, the Institute
for Vision Rehabilitation, LV Prasad Eye Institute is a comprehensive rehabilitation
center that has provided services to over 2,00,000 persons with visual
impairment. These services include Counselling and Guidance, Early Intervention
Unit, Low Vision Services, IT Training, Digital Library, Livelihood Skills
Development program, Placement serves, Helpline services, Special Needs Vision
Clinic,
Independent Living Skills Training,
Community Based Rehabilitation, and much more. The best part of working here
and being a beneficiary is that you don't feel like you have a disability and
are like any other person. Moreover, it has been my personal experience working
with Dr. Beula Christy, Head of- the Institute for Vision Rehabilitation is
when she extends tremendous support in whatever you do. She never doubted me
when I went to her and shared my ideas to direct an audio movie and create a
painting. It has always been a green signal, and I will never be able to forget
what this center has done to me. It is not my story alone, but I am sure many would
reflect the same.
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Aishwarya Pillai
( India )