Diagnosed with Keratoconus which caused vision impairment in both her eyes, her vision depth of 1 metre means she is legally classified as blind. But, thanks to the generosity of the Mayoral fund, in partnership with the Eyes 2 Eyes foundation, Tauhirah Jacobs now has a new lens on life.
“You have a grey beard”, she says with a laugh.
While this may seem a mundane statement about her father’s facial hair, it was a moment laced with emotion, resulting in not a single dry eye in the room.
For Tauhirah Jacobs (20), this was the first time she had seen her father, Tohier clearly in several years.
“For her to even just be able to tell her dad that he has a grey beard, is amazing. It is such a priceless moment,” says her mother Wiedaad, who could not hold back the tears.
Diagnosed with Keratoconus which caused vision impairment in both her eyes, her vision depth of 1 metre means she is legally classified as blind. But, thanks to the generosity of the Mayoral fund, in partnership with the Eyes 2 Eyes foundation, she now has a new lens on life.
Emotions ran high on Thursday 15 February, as Tauhirah was fitted with a set of special contact lenses which has helped her regain her sight. Specially designed and manufactured in New Zealand, these lenses cost more than R20 000, with South Africa lacking the resources to manufacture them locally.
Ashley Potts, Ward 81 councillor first became aware of Tauhirah’s condition through a community group and a message from Wiedaad in September.
“I wanted to see how I could assist with fundraising. We assisted in setting up a back-a-buddy account, went to individuals and arranged two events – which then did not happen,” he says.
“Without the family’s knowledge, I also made an application to the Mayoral fund, which immediately got back to me for more information. I did not want to tell the family until I got confirmation. We were then informed last year, but it was too close to December to start the process.”
Wiedaad explains that they had taken both children for an eye test at St John’s when they were called in about Tauhirah’s condition. She was then transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital for treatment. This is where they were referred to the Eyes 2 Eyes Foundation, as the hospital lacks the facilities to adequately treat her condition.
“I have never heard about this condition. She had been wearing glasses, but we never knew she actually had this. It is so sad to walk into the hospital and see how many youngsters there are. Her eyes had deteriorated and we had no idea,” she says.
Tohier says he first began to realise how bad her vision was when she was working and he would pass her at the bus stop, with no reaction from her. Other signs were her constant falling and tripping, says Wiedaad.
Amanda Seccombe, founder of Eyes 2 Eyes, says this condition impacts people in their formative years, making it incredibly rewarding to be involved in restoring their eyesight.
“Having walked this journey myself, I know how life-changing this is,” she says. “She will now be able to drive a car and do things that other people her age are doing.”
Losing her eyesight to a corneal disease at 50, Seccombe started the organisation in 2020. Since then, they have assisted 58 children with similar lenses – the youngest being an eight-year-old boy.
“When I was receiving treatment, I asked the doctors what happens to people at hospitals who do not have the resources and funding. They are left to live with a disability, dependent on a grant when there is a solution to the problem,” says Seccombe, who adds they currently have another 58 patients on a waiting list for this treatment.Having been instrumental in her journey to regain sight, the organisation works closely with them to assist patients.
The manufacturing takes around three weeks, with screening, measurements and scans being translated by the New Zealand lab to create these special lenses that float above the cornea. Each patient’s condition varies and these lenses are adjusted to best fit the patient.
After receiving the diagnosis, her parents were desperate to improve her life.
“As a mother, you do anything. We were going to sell our house, if this did not happen. This is how desperately we wanted to help our child. I could not watch my child live in his bubble, with her life on hold. We were going to make it happen,” says Wiedaad with tears welling up.
As a single-income household, Wiedaad says this has weighed heavy on their family. However, one of the biggest hurdles in getting help was trying to convince people that Tauhirah had a serious condition.
“We were told that she doesn’t look like there is anything wrong with her,” she says.
She went through her entire matric year, without a diagnosis and this made obtaining her matric certificate in 2021 a challenge. But, one she managed to overcome.
“I don’t want to cry, I am scared they will come out,” she says with emotion visible on her face.
With her new lenses, colours and details are vibrant again and so is her outlook on life.
“I saw the green trees so clearly. It was so beautiful, I have not seen it in so long. Colours were dull and now they pop. I look forward to the colours of nature. I always loved nature, but when I could not see, I did not see the point in going out and being in nature. What good is it to be out there and you can’t see it,” she says. Her past experiences still weigh heavy on her as a tear passes.
“This has held me back so much. It was difficult. I wore glasses, but even at school, I would have to sit right in front or take friend’s books home to finish work.”
Her goal is to get a job and help provide for her family.
“I got a second chance,” she says.
She would also like to further her education and work with seniors.
The family thanked the Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis for assisting them in getting her sight back and to all role players who have assisted.
