Through darkness, she conquered the world

There are thousands of students out there who are able bodied individuals capable of studying and becoming productive members of society, yet due to a lack of drive, perseverance and ambition they fail miserably when it comes to acquiring a tertiary education. Today's blog post celebrates a woman who has courage and ambition and has succeeded in all aspects of her life despite being visually impaired. Her perseverance and inner drive has allowed her to achieve a degree at a renowned South African University. Maymoona Chouglay is truly an inspiration not only to fellow South Africans, but she is undoubtedly an inspiration to the world.Read on to find out more in her own words.

1. Firstly Maymoona thank you so much for taking time out to answer these questions?So tell me who is Maymoona Choughlay? Where were you born? Basically provide my readers with a brief synopsis of your life from childhood up until your university years?

I Maymoona Chouglay was born in Kimberley. I was born premature and the oxygen in the incubator affected my eyes and thus I have a detached retina. I lived in Kimberley for 1 year and then later moved to Pakistan with my parents where my dad was completing his studies. We relocated to South Africa in the early 90’s and lived in Bakerton Springs. I started preschool in 1992 but had to repeat as I was not fluent in English. I then went to Rynsoord primary school where I completed my grade 1 and 2. much of which was very challenging, my mum was more at school with me then being a stay at home mom. She had to make my lines darker in the writing books and had to read a lot of the work to me. Both these years I went for tests at Prinshof School for the blind in Pretoria and finally after the 2nd test my parents had to make the decision as to let me go on in the mainstream school or put me in a special school. It was difficult for them but after much consideration and consultation in 1996 I started grade 3 at my new school. Not knowing anything about Braille the school suggested putting me 2 years back to grade 1. My mum refused and said that I will cope. IT WAS THROUGH THE ATTITUDE AND WILLINGNESS OF MY MUM WHO SAT WITH ME FOR HOURS ON END AND MADE ME DO DOUBLE THE WORK GIVEN ON A DAY, I COMPLETED MY GRADE AND WITHIN MONTHS THE SCHOOL THEN WANTED TO PROMOTE ME AND MOM STEPPED IN AGAIN.SHE ASKED THAT I BE LEFT IN THE GRADE CLASS WHERE I COULD PRACTICE AND MAKE MY BRAILLE READING AND WRITING FLUENT. The next 3 years I went on to grades 4, 5 and 6 respectively taking part in more activities then I would have if I was in a mainstream school. In 1999 I lost my mum to an illness called Lupus. Then my dad remarried and in August 2000 my twin brothers were born. My high school years were filled with activities emphasizing my leadership qualities. I learnt Arabic Braille in 2002. My last 3 years were dedicated to studying and leadership within and out of the school. After school I took on the journey to study social work at the University of Pretoria.4 year degree took me 6 years. Lots of difficulties but very rewarding at the end.

2. I am curious to know, were you visually impaired since birth or was it a disability that developed later on in life?

I was born premature and the oxygen in the incubator affected my eyes. I then had a detached retina. I was basically blind. Then after consulting with doctors and lots of Duas I regained my sight in my left eye equivalent to 20%. In 2000 my cornea cracked and I was basically blind again. I then went for Umrah with the view that what is meant to be will be. Many were concerned about me travelling especially the doctors but I explained that I am going to the house of Allah and what will be will be. I returned after 2 weeks with even better sight then what I had before my cornea cracked. And continued my life with just a scar. Doctors were amazed but to me it was all the work of Allah. In 2007 I started loosing my sight and started adjusting my life and the manner that I did daily tasks. In 2008 June I underwent an emergency operation which was not successful. In August after loads of searching I went for a second opinion by my original Doctor whom we had lost touch with when he went in to private practice. He decided that it is important to wheel me in to theatre as soon as possible and a week later I went in. an operation that had to take 2 hours took about 5 hours and it was on this day that the news was broken to my family that I would never be able to see again. Thus I am blind.

3. Having visited Madrassa an Noor for the blind in Pietermaritzburg, I noticed that the students at the institute were exposed to specialized programs to assist them in utilizing the computer. Have you also been exposed to such technology?

Yes I have. I am a user of Jaws on a daily bases.

4. How did your family react when you decided to pursue a degree at a tertiary institute?

They were very supportive. They encouraged me and stood by me as much as they possibly could.

5 . I am not really familiar with the education program for the visually impaired in South Africa, hence are text books used at a university level readily available in braille?

This question is a sensitive one for me. It was a very very big struggle for me. Textbooks are not available in Braille. To have them printed is a mission either it is printed by people who does not look at the quality and it is printed very bad or an electronic copy is hard to get hold of so the book would need to be bought scanned edited and then translated to be printed in Braille. This is in short.

6. I understand that you are also a married woman.The fact that you are visually impaired hasn't prevented you from leading a normal life. How did you meet your life partner and is he also visually impaired?

Yes I am married. We met at the Madrassa Al Noor for the blind. He is also visually impaired. We both lead a normal life as we and our families are concerned. This being said within our limits and capabilities.

7. What are your future plans and goals? Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I am not really sure as to the exact time frame given but I would like to further my studies in social work. Thinking of masters and also a post graduate certificate in education. I would also need to study further to stay in the field of probation where I am currently working.

8. What advise would you give to an individual who is visually impaired? Many of these individuals become depressed, despondent and lose hope.

I can only share my motto: “it is good to dream, but live your dreams and don’t dream your way to live”
Secondly don’t let your disability define you but you should define your disability. Do not sit back and let the world revolve around you but get up and travel the world.Have the right attitude, believe in yourself and the All mighty and make the right choices and changes when necessary.

9. Define success? What does success mean to you?

Success to me means achieving what you have set out for yourself. It is not about competitions but it is about doing something to better your life, your situation, your plans for the future and better everything on a whole to assist and better the lives of those around you, be it family and friends, related or not and lastly in working environment or in a personal capacity.

10. Who or what inspires you? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

The Almighty gives me the strength. My dad is my role model. My Late mum has taught me the values of life, my step mum taught me that there is no word such as “can’t” unless you have tried and even if you do it in a different way if the end result is the same then that is all that matters. Anybody that I can learn something from inspires me.

11. What are your favourite websites?

I do not really have a favourite. Where ever I can get relevant information as needed at the time I will visit. Most of the time it is academic related or disability related.

12. A few months ago I met a visually impaired man who is originally from the UK but now resides in South Africa due to his studies. He mentioned to me that he traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alone two years ago to perform his Hajj. Have you traveled abroad?

I have lived in Pakistan, travelled to India and Mauritius with my family. Went to Kenya with my late mum, Umrah with my cousin and uncle and locally to Kimberley Durban and Cape Town by myself and family respectively. Still intend on travelling much more in future.

13. Are there organizations for the visually impaired in South Africa? If yes, are you a member of any of these organizations. Can you please provide the contact details of the organizations you mentioned.

Yes there are number of organisations for the blind in SA.
I am a member of Egoli blind which is a committee of blind SA.

14. As a university graduate myself, there were days when I use to become frustrated whilst studying. Were there times when you felt frustrated, were there times when you felt that you wanted to give up. How did you overcome these powerful feelings of negativity?

Yes more often then not. I overcame it by looking back and saying to myself. You have completed a certain amount of modules; you only have so many left you can do it. I took the support given and always said God would not have put me in this situation if I could not handle it. I am here to make a difference for myself, other disabled people and create awareness to able bodied people about different disabilities. I am here in a helping profession and I got to help myself so even if my studies takes me longer I will do it for my self and for others. It is also something that nobody can take away from me.

Thank you Maymoona for taking the time to answer these questions. Desert Moon wishes you all the best in your future endeavours!!! This is definitely one of the most inspiring interviews that I have ever done. I am so honoured and proud to have interviewed you.Thank you for giving me this opportunity.