The Hindu : Front Page : Lots of dreams, lots of determination

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 04, 2005

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Front Page

Lots of dreams, lots of determination

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

TWO'S COMPANY: Joyce Kane in India with her guide and friend Corey. PHOTO: VINO JOHN

NEW DELHI: Joyce Kane is on her maiden all-expenses-paid trip to India. And ironic as it might sound, in a country known for its vibrancy and colour there is nothing that Joyce would be able to see.

Having gone blind at 46 following a heart surgery and tackling diabetes since the age of seven, Joyce, now 54, chose to look at the "brighter side" of darkness rather than losing herself to despair. Having grown from strength to strength, she has now carved for herself a saga that reads like no other. So much so that Joyce -- shouldering the responsibility of her three grown-up children -- has come to be the mascot of human courage surmounting all odds.

Along with her faithful nine-year-old canine guide Corey for company and her determination to lead a full life, Joyce now chairs the Southern Connecticut chapter of the U.S. National Federation of the Blind and is on a State Department-sponsored trip to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

In Delhi now on the last leg of her trip, Joyce has a packed scheduled aimed at sending down one message: "Blindness is not a handicap; it's a challenge to be overcome! You have to reach for your dreams.'' Joyce is meeting a large number of people with disabilities, caretakers and sign-language interpreters, Braille experts, dog-trainers and other service providers to blind and deaf-blind, social activists, government officials, academics and students during her stay here in the Capital.

"Life wasn't easy after I woke up in complete darkness following a surgery of the heart," says Joyce. "I went to hospital to get my heart fixed and while my heart ticked along fine I lost my sight due to complications relating to my diabetes. But soon I took control of my life and was trained to use a guide dog, which gave me confidence and freedom. In India, I am giving an insight into my first-hand experiences to overcome difficulties resulting from my disability. I am also talking about self-management of diabetes and dealing with family and friends. I want to share with the people my struggle so that they can learn and take hints from my life.''

Speaking about her trip to India, Joyce adds: "I feel I have taken a big step before even putting my foot here -- we've brought attention to the airlines allowing my guide dog to travel with me.''

The visit, which ends on August 10, will provide Joyce a forum for discussion and comparison of treatment of the blind in the United States and India. It will also provide an opportunity for ideas to be exchanged on how to improve visual disability programmes.

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