West Midlands Local Peer Support Group

Please find below an introduction from Shazia about her sight loss journey and career.

“My name is Shazia Begum, and I am registered blind. At the age of 16, I was diagnosed with an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). At first, I did not fully understand what the diagnosis meant for my future and tried not to think too much about it. As I grew older and my sight deteriorated, I realised that I needed to learn new techniques and adapt to a different way of life.”

“Coming from a Pakistani background, being a woman living with sight loss has brought many challenges. At times, I have felt misunderstood and as though I was different from those around me. However, I have always tried to remain positive, independent and determined to achieve my goals.”

“I started my career as a volunteer and gradually worked my way up. Over the years, I have worked with several sight-loss charities and organisations, supporting people with visual impairments and disabilities. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of the barriers people face and have motivated me to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“I am married and have two young daughters, aged nine and six. Balancing family life, my own sight impairment and my career has not always been easy, but my family has given me even more motivation to succeed and be a positive role model for my children.”

“Today, I run an administration agency, a care company and Insight Society, all with the aim of supporting people with sight impairment and disabilities. I am proud of what I have achieved and of the journey that has brought me here.”

“My life has taught me that disability does not mean inability. We may have to find different ways of doing things, but with determination, support and the right attitude. we can still achieve our goals. I believe life is a test, and although we all face challenges, it is important to overcome them, appreciate what we have and make the most of every opportunity. I hope my journey can inspire others to believe in themselves and never allow their circumstances to define their future.”

Please come and join us to hear from Shazia and ask her any questions you may have. Following on from Shazia’s talk we can have a social catch up where we can discuss and plan some more of our in-person get togethers and future meetings for the rest of the year.

We welcome and encourage you to come and have your say in how we move forward with this peer support group and how we can best support our community in the West Midlands region living with inherited progressive sight loss.

So please come along and share any ideas you have for venues and events you may like to visit or if you would just like a chat, advice or simply need a listening ear, we are here to support you.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Venue

This meeting will be held online via Zoom.